Packers Sign Josh Jacobs, Release Aaron Jones

© Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

In an unexpected development, the Green Bay Packers have signed Josh Jacobs to be their new feature runningback, per Ian Rapoport. In light of the signing, Aaron Jones was released after spending seven seasons with the Packers. Jacobs leaves the 8-9 rebuilding Las Vegas Raiders to the 9-8 Packers coming out of a swift rebuild themselves, having reached the NFC Divisional round after trading quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets last offseason.

Jacobs Leaves Vegas

After the 2022 season, Jacobs was selected to the All-Pro first team and was awaiting a new deal. The Raiders proceeded to franchise tag him instead with the desire on both sides to get a long-term deal done. Over the course of the 2023 season, neither side could agree to terms leading Jacobs to hit the free agent market, being one of the premiere running backs available.

Jacobs started all 17 games in 2022 and ran for 1,653 yards with 12 touchdowns. In 2023, he started 13 games while running for 805 yards with 6 touchdowns in a struggling Raiders offense.

At the time of this publication, the Raiders are turning to runningback Zamir White to be their leading rusher next season. In 17 games White rushed for 451 yards and 1 touchdown last season during Jacob's absence.

Details of Jacobs' contract with the Packers have yet to be announced.

Editor Note: approximately 20 minutes after the story was posted details were released of 4 years $48M

Jones Released

Jones battled through an injury-riddled season after pulling his hamstring in Week 1. Jones rushed for 656 yards in 11 games with the bulk of his yards coming in the last three weeks of the season when he averaged 5.7 yards on 63 carries. A.J. Dillion was expected to step up for the injured Jones and produced an underwhelming 613 yards with 2 touchdowns.

The news of whether Dillion will still be on the Packers roster has yet to be announced at the time of this publication.