Josh Jacobs contract details: Packers shake up backfield, sign former NFL rushing champion

Kyle Irving

Josh Jacobs contract details: Packers shake up backfield, sign former NFL rushing champion image

Josh Jacobs is taking his talents to Green Bay.

Jacobs has reportedly reached a four-year, $48 million agreement to sign with the Packers after spending the first five years of his career with the Raiders.

The 26-year-old is coming off of an injury-riddled season in which he only appeared in 13 games for Las Vegas. Jacobs was still effective in the games he played, tallying 805 rushing yards and six touchdowns to go with 37 receptions and 296 receiving yards.

Jacobs has been one of the best running backs in the NFL when available over the past two seasons. Now he will look to make an impact in a new uniform with the Packers.

The Sporting News has you covered with the details of Jacobs' contract below.

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Josh Jacobs contract details

Jacobs has agreed to terms on a contract with the Packers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Pelissero later reported the deal is with $48 million over four years, but it's still unknown how much of that is guaranteed.

The 26-year-old played on the Raiders' franchise tag last season, earning $10.1 million in 2023.

The Raiders selected Jacobs out of Alabama with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $11.9 million rookie contract with the franchise.

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Josh Jacobs stats

Jacobs might not get the same attention as other star running backs, but few have been more productive since he was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

The 26-year-old has three 1,000-yard rushing seasons to his name in his first five years in the league. Injuries bogged down his 2023 campaign, but he still tallied 1,101 all-purpose yards in just 13 games. And those yards came in a struggling Raiders offense that underwent a mid-season head coaching change and three different quarterbacks.

Jacobs was fully healthy in 2022 and has an NFL rushing title to show for it. Jacobs dashed for 1,653 rushing yards and a league-leading 97.2 yards per game, cashing in 12 touchdowns. His 393 touches and 2,053 all-purpose yards also led the NFL. He received a first-team All-Pro selection for his career-best season.

At 26, there is no reason to believe Jacobs can't produce at that same level for the Packers in 2024.

Year Games Carries Rush yds Y/C Rec. Rec. yds Total TDs
2019 13 242 1,150 4.8 20 166 7
2020 15 273 1,065 3.9 33 238 12
2021 15 217 872 4 54 348 9
2022 17 340 1,653 4.9 53 400 12
2023 13 233 805 3.5 37 296 6
Total 73 1,305 5,545 4.2 197 1,448 46

Packers RB depth chart

Below is a look at the Packers' projected depth chart for 2024 with Jacobs joining the backfield.

Rank Player
1 Josh Jacobs
2 Patrick Taylor
3 Emanuel Wilson

The decision to bring in Jacobs is an intriguing one from Green Bay's point of view. The team had Aaron Jones signed for one more season, but the two sides were unable to restructure his contract ahead of the Jacobs' signing, and the Packers ultimately released him soon after the news of the Jacobs deal. 

Green Bay could have considered operating with the one-two punch of Jacobs and Jones, especially with A.J. Dillon hitting free agency after he had been Jones' backup for the last four seasons. Instead, the Packers make things clear that Jacobs is RB1 going forward. 

Patrick Taylor served as the third-string running back last year behind Jones and Dillon. With Green Bay electing to part ways with Jones, Taylor figures to compete with Emanuel Wilson for the No. 2 spot, unless the team signs another back. 

Josh Jacobs fantasy outlook 2024

Jacobs disappointed in virtually every way last season after his breakout 2022, but the relatively young back was mired in a bad situation. He now goes to a much brighter offense where he should receive a similarly heavy workload. Make no mistake, Jacobs is unlikely to approach 340 carries as he did in '22, but 270-plus touches like Aaron Jones had when he played every game in '22 is well within reach if Jacobs stays healthy. 

Green Bay leans toward the pass (11th-fewest rush attempts last year), but Jacobs will be utilized as a pass-catcher like Jones has been (59 catches in '22, 30 catches in 11 games last year). All of that adds up to around 1,400 total yards and 8-10 TDs if he stays healthy, which will make him a low-end RB1 in half-PPR leagues. — Matt Lutovsky

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.