Jacobs Signs with Packers After Productive Tenure with Raiders

Josh Jacobs, the NFL's leading rusher in 2022, has signed with the Green Bay Packers following a decline in performance last season due to a contract holdout. During his time with the Las Vegas Raiders, Jacobs was the primary running back, amassing 1,653 rushing yards in 2021 and nearly 400 touches that season. Despite a solid 2022 campaign with 270 touches, Jacobs faced a quadriceps injury that sidelined him for the final month, prompting the Raiders to reassess their backfield options. With Jacobs out, Ameer Abdullah and Zamir White stepped up, with White rushing for 397 yards in the last four games of the season. This performance demonstrated White's potential as a lead back, leading the Raiders to move on from Jacobs after five seasons. However, questions remain about whether the team will continue to rely heavily on a single running back or adopt a more balanced offensive strategy, a trend seen across the league. The Minnesota Vikings had previously elevated Alexander Mattison to a starting role after releasing Dalvin Cook, who later joined the New York Jets. Mattison recorded a career-high 700 rushing yards but struggled with a low yards-per-carry average and failed to score a touchdown. Meanwhile, Abdullah has primarily contributed as a receiver, with 44 catches over two seasons, and is vying for a role on special teams. As the Raiders prepare for the upcoming season, White's emergence could ease the transition away from Jacobs, with his upbeat demeanor and gritty play style potentially endearing him to fans. The team will rely on him to step into a more prominent role on the field.