Last week, I wrote about how the Green Bay Packers’ battle for the second running back spot was going to be one of the fiercest in camp. Unfortunately, that might be a battle for the No. 1 spot in training camp now.
On Tuesday afternoon, after a bit of speculation going on over the weekend, we got confirmation that Josh Jacobs had allegedly been involved in a domestic altercation and turned himself in to authorities after a warrant was issued for his arrest. I am not going to get into that today, because there’s still a lot of unknown.
Still, there’s a good chance Jacobs misses some time, whether through suspension or release. With the current status of Green Bay’s running back room, they should be looking into every option to add to it. So, what is the best path forward?
Free Agency
I’m going to start with free agency because that’s the easiest route for the Packers to bring in a guy. However, I also want to get these names out of the way because it’s quite bleak.
None of those names is terribly inspiring. It’s a tough time to need a running back because we’re past the draft, and nearly every other running back is on a roster because OTAs have started.
Mostly, those available RBs are returning from injury or vets who don’t want to participate in OTAs. If I had to choose one, I’d check in on Najee Harris’ recovery from a torn Achilles tendon. He offers a skillset similar to Jacobs’, and he suffered the injury in Week 3, so he should be ready at the start of the season. However, he was never the most explosive back, and that injury may have sapped whatever was left of his explosiveness.
Trade
The more interesting names come in the trade market. The most obvious trade partner: The Arizona Cardinals.
Green Bay has obvious connections to the Cardinals. New Packers DC Jonathan Gannon is Arizona’s former head coach, and the Cardinals hired Matt LaFleur’s brother, Mike, as their new head coach.
The Cardinals also have an abundance of running back depth. They signed Tyler Allgeier in free agency and drafted Jeremiyah Love with the third-overall pick, while retaining Trey Benson, James Conner, and Bam Knight.
Between those five, one, maybe even two, are unlikely to make the roster. It could easily be Knight who gets cut. They could also put James Conner on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list if he isn’t fully healthy after suffering a season-ending foot injury that required surgery last fall. Regardless, whoever is the third and fourth back will likely be overqualified for their role, so I’d have to believe Arizona is open to moving one.
Benson makes the most sense from both sides. Much like Marshawn Lloyd, who the Packers drafted in the third round of the 2024 draft, injuries have kept Benson off the field. However, he has averaged 4.9 yards per carry when on the field.
Adding another injury-prone RB to the room may not make a ton of sense for Green Bay, but it takes two teams to make a trade. With a new staff in Arizona and two new running backs in the mix, Benson may not be in their plans. Therefore, he makes sense as a trade target for the Cardinals, and it makes sense for Green Bay to bring in what’s likely to be a cheap lottery-ticket reclamation project.
Strictly from Green Bay’s perspective, Tyler Allgeier makes the most sense. After having 1000 yards as a rookie, Allgeier has remained stuck behind Bijan Robinson for the last three years. However, he continued to earn, some may even say steal carries from Robinson.
Allgeier then signed in Arizona, believing there was a clear path to becoming RB1, only for the Cardinals to draft Jeremiyah Love. With Allgeier likely frustrated with his situation, there may be something to work out. However, the Cardinals obviously want him; they just signed him. Therefore, he’s unlikely to be available.
The Home-Run Swing
If the Packers see this as motivation to make a bigger addition to the room, then De’Von Achane would be the likely candidate. There were already rumors that Green Bay was interested in Achane before the Jacobs situation. Now, there could be more incentive to get a deal done. However, the Packers don’t have a first-round pick, so they may be unwilling to pay the cost.
Achane is often brought up as a trade candidate because his contract is coming up, and it doesn’t make a ton of sense for the Dolphins to pay a running back as they head into a rebuild.
However, Achane is awesome, and the Dolphins desperately need offensive playmakers. There’s also been no indication that they’re interested in moving him. Still, maybe old friends Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley can work something out with Brian Gutekunst.
The Josh Jacobs Replacement
If Green Bay is looking for as close to a one-for-one replacement for Josh Jacobs as they can get, Alvin Kamara is the guy to go after. Kamara, like Jacobs, is nearing the end of his time as a lead back. I’d even consider Kamara further along in that timeline, because the New Orleans Saints have already acquired his replacement in Travis Etienne. However, that’s also why he’d be available.
At this point in his career, Kamara is not going to be the game-changing back he was in his prime. Still, he can give the Packers a stabilizing presence that can lead the backfield, be a good pass catcher, and let the other guys behind him work things out.
Kick the Tires
Braelon Allen
A year ago, Allen looked primed to take over as the New York Jets’ lead back in 2026. Breece Hall was headed to free agency, and Allen showed flashes of being a workhorse back as a rookie.
Instead, with a new staff in town, Allen seemed to fall out of their good graces, getting just 18 carries in the four games he played last year before missing the rest of the season with injury. The Jets then extended Breece Hall on a long-term deal this offseason. Therefore, if Allen isn’t in Aaron Glenn’s plans in 2026, then Green Bay should check in on the cost to bring the former Badger home.
Kaleb Johnson
The 2025 third-round pick had a disaster of a rookie season. Johnson never had a real role on offense, getting just 28 carries over 10 games. Even when he got opportunities, he was terrible. He was even a healthy scratch for some games.
With a new staff in Pittsburgh, he may have a chance to rebuild his rep. However, he’s still got Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle in front of him, both of whom played under Mike McCarthy in Dallas. He’ll probably end up buried on the depth chart. A change of scenery may be better, and it’s worth it for Green Bay to take the shot.
Sean Tucker
Tucker has spent much of his time in the league buried on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ depth chart. However, anytime he gets a shot as a lead back, he makes the most of it. He’s had games of 136 yards and a TD, and 106 yards and two TDs when vaulted into that role.
In a four-game stretch in the middle of last season, when Tampa was dealing with injuries, he averaged 13 carries per game, averaged 60 yards per game, and 4.6 yards per carry. Yet again, Tampa has buried him on the depth chart after signing Kenny Gainwell to replace Rachaad White. Bucky Irving is still dealing with an injury from last season, so they may not be inclined to move Tucker right now, but if Irving is good to go by camp, they could be more open to it.
Emanuel Wilson
Wilson’s situation is similar to Tyler Allgeier’s. Green Bay let Wilson walk, and he signed with the Seattle Seahawks, presumably with the idea that he has a shot at a significant role with Kenneth Walker leaving for Kansas City.
However, Seattle drafted Jadarian Price at the end of the first round, and now Wilson is likely third on the depth chart when they’re fully healthy. The thing is that they’re not fully healthy right now because Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in the playoffs. Therefore, I’m not sure Seattle would be open to moving Wilson unless Price looked like a bona fide workhorse in camp. Still, Green Bay should check in on an old friend.
The Packers are in a tough spot, but they will have a plethora of options if it gets to the point that they need to add a body. Some players may even become available through unexpected cuts. Whatever the conclusion is, it will be one of the most closely scrutinized developments throughout the offseason and training camp.
