The Green Bay Packers’ running back search may be shifting fast, and Saquon Barkley has suddenly entered the conversation.
Green Bay has been linked to Jonathan Taylor as one of several teams looking into a trade for the Indianapolis Colts star before the November 10 deadline. But with multiple teams in the mix and the price for Taylor expected to be steep, the Packers may have to pivot if they want to add help in the backfield.
That possibility has only grown as Josh Jacobs’ situation has come under renewed scrutiny. On Friday, October 30, allegations of physical abuse involving Jacobs resurfaced, with three additional women reportedly coming forward with claims against the Packers running back. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the latest developments could lead Green Bay to move on from him.
“Both the NFL and the Packers declined comment regarding the new statement, in response to inquiries from PFT,” the NFL insider wrote.
“Regardless of the comments from the people who are representing Jacobs, the league will do its due diligence. The Packers surely will, too. And they could, potentially, decide to move on from Jacobs - especially if any of the new information is inconsistent with anything he has previously told the team.”
If Green Bay does keep searching for another back, Barkley stands out as a possible alternative. Like Taylor, he would be a major addition, but the path to landing Taylor looks crowded. Jonathan Jones of The Athletic reported Saturday that the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants are currently leading the race to acquire the Colts running back.
That could leave the Packers looking elsewhere.
Barkley’s 2024 season was as good as it gets. He ran for 2,005 yards, led the NFL, and played a central role in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run.
This year has been tougher, though, with injuries cutting into both his availability and his impact. The Eagles are 2-6, and after Sunday’s loss to Washington - a game in which Philadelphia was a six-point underdog - they could be open to moving players ahead of the deadline.
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Packers May Face A Backfield Reset They Can't Ignore
The 2026 NFL trade deadline is already drawing attention, and Jordan Schultz has said he expects it to be one of the busier ones around the league. For the Packers, the intrigue centers on Jonathan Taylor, a player who has spent his entire career with the Colts while Indianapolis continues reshaping its roster and moving on from other established names. Green Bays interest makes sense on paper, especially with Taylor carrying a strong off-field reputation and a track record that has kept him among the leagues most recognizable backs.
The timing only adds to the conversation in Green Bay, where the backfield has become a more complicated topic than it looked a year ago. Josh Jacobs has dealt with legal issues tied to domestic dispute allegations, and the Packers are now being linked to a player whose profile is very different from the one they already have in place. If the Colts keep listening and the deadline market heats up as expected, this is the kind of situation that could force Green Bay to decide how aggressive it wants to be about a reset. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Make Their Josh Jacobs Stance Clear Amid Serious Allegations
Josh Jacobs is once again at the center of an NFL review, and the Packers are already making clear they expect him to stay on the roster while the process plays out. The league has expanded its investigation after new allegations surfaced, adding another layer of scrutiny to a player whose recent past already included a six-game absence on the commissioners exempt list following a no contest plea tied to an earlier arrest.
For Green Bay, the immediate football question is less about availability than about how long this situation lingers around the team. Jacobs has already dealt with league discipline once, and the Packers now find themselves waiting on the NFLs next move while the review continues. The teams stance is straightforward for now, but the broader picture remains unsettled as the investigation moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Packers May Have A New Linebacker Problem In The Best Way
The Packers have managed to keep their defense on track even while dealing with injuries at linebacker, and the next stretch could say a lot about how deep that room really is. With Edgerrin Cooper and Zaire Franklin sidelined, Isaiah McDuffie and Tyron Hopper have been asked to carry more of the load, and the unit has held up well enough to keep Green Bay from feeling the full weight of those absences.
Hopper, in particular, has started to look like more than a fill-in. His recent impact showed up all over the field, from tackles to disruption in coverage and even splash plays in the backfield, which is the kind of production that can complicate a coachs rotation once everyone is healthy again. Franklin is expected back soon, but if Hopper keeps stacking strong performances, the Packers may have a new kind of linebacker question on their hands. [Read more 🡒]