GREEN BAY – The 2024 NFL season has witnessed a resurgence in the prominence of veteran running backs, spearheaded by Josh Jacobs in Green Bay. After years of the league’s growing emphasis on passing offenses, Jacobs’ impressive performance this year has reignited enthusiasm for the running game, marking a key shift in how teams approach their ground attack.
Jacobs, now in his second season with the Packers, achieved 1,329 rushing yards and scored 15 touchdowns, helping Green Bay climb into the top five for rushing offenses for the first time since 2003. His success comes alongside notable performances from other elite backs such as Derrick Henry, who rushed for 1,921 yards with Baltimore, and Saquon Barkley, who hit the 2,000-yard mark after moving to Philadelphia.
Context for the Packers’ Ground Game and Jacobs’ Breakout Year
Running backs had faced a decline in perceived value as teams increasingly prioritized passing offenses, especially after players reached unrestricted free agency. However, the 2024 offseason altered that narrative dramatically. Henry’s move to Baltimore and Barkley’s team switch brought fresh dynamism to the position, but Jacobs’ emergence in Green Bay stood out for its combination of yardage, touchdown production, and endurance.
Despite Green Bay’s earlier struggles to rank highly in rushing, Jacobs’ impact elevated the team’s ground game significantly. Jacobs featured among league leaders in yards gained after contact, ranking third with 1,080 yards according to TruMedia data. His physical style of running, combined with a relentless approach, made him a constant threat despite fierce defensive resistance.
Jacobs Reflects on His Performance and Aspirations for the Future
Jacobs expressed pride in his accomplishments yet admitted he believes there is still room to grow.
“I feel like I had a good year, but I feel like I still left a lot on the table,”
Jacobs said.
“For me, it’s just trying to come in and chase that No. 1 spot and raise a Super Bowl (trophy) at the end of the day. That’s the only thing that’s really on my mind.”
He highlighted the opportunity running backs have to make a difference on every play, noting the creativity and versatility required.
“I feel like everything in football, and really in life, it comes full circle,”
Jacobs added.
“Besides the quarterback, we touch the ball more than anybody else on the field, so we have the most opportunities to create and be special, so I’m proud of a lot of these guys who stepped up and showed their versatility and played good.”
Physical Preparation and Team Support Bolstering Jacobs’ Success
Remaining healthy was a critical factor in Jacobs’ breakout season. He carried the workload over 358 touches in 18 games (including playoffs) without major injury, due in large part to a dedicated offseason focusing on conditioning and building the resilience necessary for a demanding schedule.
The Packers also strengthened their offensive line by signing Aaron Banks, regarded as one of the top free-agent guards. Banks brings experience blocking for elite running backs, having been part of Christian McCaffrey’s Offensive Player of the Year campaign. Banks praised Jacobs, describing him with a single word: “A dawg, honestly.” He elaborated,
“Just watching him on tape, the way he can create in his runs and how physical and downhill he is. I think that the running back plays a big part in the success of the run game – not just O-line but the two together. So, yeah, I was excited to get to block for him.”
In addition to Banks, the team shifted two-time Pro Bowl lineman Elgton Jenkins to the center position, bolstering the line’s cohesion. Jacobs emphasized the trust and collaboration between the running back and offensive line, stating,
“I always tell them, ‘Shoot, just get on somebody, I’ll make you right.’ Literally, I feel like it’s a partnership at the end of the day. I can’t do my job without them and when they do their job, I make them look good. So that’s all part of it.”
The Packers’ Postseason Experience and Jacobs’ Championship Ambitions
Jacobs’ debut season with Green Bay included a playoff appearance, their first since 2021, though it ended with a 22-10 loss to the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles. That result fuels Jacobs’ desire to push further, especially given the limited timeline he feels remains to vie for a championship.
Observing Barkley’s success with Philadelphia, powered by a strong offensive line, Jacobs and the Packers hope to engineer a similar deep postseason run. Jacobs recognizes the strength of their locker room and roster, underscoring the collective potential.
“There’s nothing worse than being on a team where you’re rebuilding and it’s like, ‘OK, I want to be the best, but the best might not be good enough,’”
he said.
“But with this type of locker room, where we’ve got pieces all over the board, offense and defense, it just makes that urgency get a little bit more intense, because the only thing that can really stop us is us. If we lock in on the things we need to do, if we put the work in, then we’ll reap the benefits.”
Impact and Outlook for the NFL’s Running Back Position
The 2024 season’s standout performances from Jacobs, Henry, Barkley, and others mark a clear turnaround for the running back role in the NFL. Jacobs’ breakout year exemplifies how a determined, well-supported back can significantly influence a team’s offensive success and playoff chances. For Green Bay, the combination of Jacobs’ skills, enhanced offensive line support, and organizational commitment sets the stage for an aggressive pursuit of a Super Bowl title in the near future.
As Jacobs aims to elevate his game and lead the Packers to championship glory, his journey reflects broader changes and renewed appreciation for the ground game in today’s evolving NFL landscape.