Josh Jacobs has spent the past two seasons as the Packers’ top running back. A heavy workload can once again be expected for 2026, but it remains to be seen how the rest of the team’s backfield will take shape.
Green Bay has MarShawn Lloyd on the books, but injuries have proven to be a major issue in his case. The 2024 third-rounder was limited to just one game during his rookie season, and he was out of the lineup this past year. Lloyd will look to carve out a role during training camp, with the same being true of Pierre Strong – who inked a futures deal in January – as well as special teams regular Chris Brooks.
“I like our group,” Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said at the recent league meeting (via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic). “We’re certainly gonna add competition to that room. But I like — whether it’s MarShawn as we get him healthy and get him going, [and] Pierre Strong’s there. There’s guys we really like, but I’m sure there will be more competition to come.”
Jacobs is owed $11.6MM for 2026, the third season of his four-year free agent pact. The former Raider earned his third career Pro Bowl nod in 2024 as he enjoyed a strong debut season in Green Bay. 2025 saw Jacobs’ efficiency and overall production take a step back, although he remained a strong red zone presence with 13 rushing touchdowns. RB1 duties can be expected moving forward, but adding a consistent backup would no doubt help the 28-year-old in particular and Green Bay’s offense in general.
A number of veteran backs such as Najee Harris, Joe Mixon, Austin Ekeler and Antonio Gibson are unsigned at this point. That will likely remain the case until after the upcoming draft, but in any event a low-cost deal would likely be feasible for most or all of those options. The Packers have roughly $22MM in cap space at the moment, so affording a depth addition should not be a challenge.
A rookie draft selection will of course receive consideration as well. Green Bay currently does not have a first-round pick thanks to the Micah Parsons trade, but the team still has seven overall selections. The 2026 RB class is not held in high regard beyond Jeremiyah Love, who will be long gone by the time the Packers are on the clock for the first time. Whether through free agency or the draft, though, it would come as no surprise if Green Bay were to make at least one backfield move.