Packers run game desperately needs a player to give them some explosiveness

Josh Jacobs' injuries weren't the only thing holding the Green Bay run game back from being the type of ground attack the Packers need.

The Green Bay Packers can get four yards when they need to stay on schedule. When the team needs one yard on third or fourth down, the ground game stumbles. And when the offense needs a spark, it turns into the Pawn Stars meme: “Best I can do is four yards.” This run game is consistent, but for the offense to be more dangerous in high-leverage situations, they have to find a way to generate explosive plays.

At this point, the only solution is an infusion of talent.

It would be easy, but lazy, to look at the 2024 rushing splits compared to 2025 and conclude the Packers merely need Josh Jacobs to be healthy for the rushing attack to get back on track. Last year, Jacobs and Co. finished ninth in success rate, but 21st in EPA/rush. That’s down from 9th in EPA/rush a season ago (11th in success rate).

Get Jacobs healthy, and it’s fixed, right? Well, not exactly. This past season, Jacobs managed 23 runs of 10+, which ranked tied for 19th with backups like Blake Corum and Jordan Mason. Not great, right?

Pro Football Focus tracks what they call “breakaway” runs, which are designed runs of 15+ yards. Jacobs posted 10 such runs, but was 23rd in breakaway run percentage among qualifying running backs.

Here’s the thing: that percentage wasn’t meaningfully different in ‘24 when he ranked 22nd in breakaway percentage. Jacobs had more 10+ runs during his impressive debut season with the Pack, but that was due mostly to toting the rock more overall (301 carries to 234).

And that tracks. Anecdotally, as well as statistically, Jacobs looks like the 22nd-most explosive back in the NFL.