Josh Jacobs, running back for the Green Bay Packers, is chasing a Super Bowl trophy goal following a breakout season marked by the NFL’s renewed spotlight on veteran running backs. After experiencing the resurgence of seasoned backs impacting the league last year, Jacobs is determined to take his performance to the next level as he aims for championship success.
Veteran Running Backs Make a Significant Impact in the NFL
Jacobs reflected on the season where many veteran running backs switched teams and contributed meaningfully on the field, emphasizing the critical role his position holds in the game. He noted that running backs, aside from quarterbacks, handle the ball more frequently than anyone else, giving them numerous opportunities to influence the outcome of games.
“I feel like everything in football, and really in life, it comes full circle,” Jacobs said, via Wes Hodkiewicz of the team’s website. “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.”
“I feel like I had a good year, but I feel like I still left a lot on the table. 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.”
Bears’ Rome Odunze Emphasizes Strength and Adaptation in Offseason Preparation
Meanwhile, Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze is concentrating on improving his upper-body strength to better handle the physicality of professional football. At 23 years old, Odunze is focused on adjusting to the faster pace and tighter passing windows of the NFL compared to college football, aiming to elevate his performance with the Bears’ new coaching staff.
“I just turned 23,” Odunze said, via Jayna Bardahl of The Athletic. “I don’t have many things to focus on other than getting better. There’s a lot of nitpicking and grabbing in this league that isn’t always shown. I feel like I needed to build upper-body mass to be able to combat some of those things.”
“It’s a different game than college football. There are different windows, different ways to get open, and there’s a different pace that you have to get adapted to,” Odunze explained. “Having a full season under my belt, I feel like I’m aware of those things. I can now play the game freely in a way that I know where I need to be when I need to be there.”
“I think Ben (Johnson) and crew have great offensive minds,” Odunze added. “I feel like they can help put me in positions to succeed, and that’s all I can ask for. But at the end of the day, I’ve got to get out there and make plays and get the job done regardless.”
Reflecting on Frank Ragnow’s Retirement and Legacy
Following his decision to retire after seven seasons with the Detroit Lions, center Frank Ragnow was remembered by Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who coached him for six years. Johnson praised Ragnow for his toughness and leadership, noting how highly respected he was across the league for his ability to play through numerous injuries while making those around him better.
“I don’t know if I’ve been around a tougher player in my life than him,” Johnson said via BearsWire. “He was a pleasure to coach, a pleasure to be around. He makes everyone around him better. The number of injuries that he had, and he was still able to play through, it’s pretty remarkable. Whether you were in that locker room with him, or you competed against him, I think that everybody in this league had a high, high level of respect for him.”
What Lies Ahead for Josh Jacobs and Veteran Running Backs
As Josh Jacobs continues to build on his successful season with the Packers, his focus remains firmly fixed on making a deep playoff run culminating in a Super Bowl victory. The resurgence of veteran running backs in the NFL demonstrates the value of experience and versatility in today’s game, traits that Jacobs embodies as he strives to reach the pinnacle of football success. With a drive fueled by intense determination and the lessons of past seasons, Jacobs’ pursuit of football’s ultimate prize is emblematic of the broader push among veteran backs aiming to leave their mark once more.