Josh Jacobs’ hand injury may have handed the Packers the clearest deadline clue yet: they need another running back.
Green Bay’s ground game has been a mess all season, and there’s no sign that’s about to flip overnight. The problems haven’t come from one place alone. The offensive line has taken heat, Matt LaFleur’s play-calling has too, and the Packers’ decision to lean so heavily on Jacobs has only made the issue louder.
That approach was already under the microscope before Jacobs went down in the blowout win over the New England Patriots. Green Bay didn’t bring in another proven runner while he was suspended, and he hadn’t exactly been lighting it up before the injury either. Now, with the November 10 trade deadline closing in, the Packers can’t keep treating the backfield like a problem for later.
The organization has clearly been comfortable with Jacobs, both as a player and as a person. They stayed with him through the controversy and his serious accusations, even after he pleaded no contest. They also stood by him when he faced more accusations and the possibility of another suspension.
That said, the Packers are in the business of winning games, not making statements. They’ll do what they believe gives them the best shot to win, and the current setup doesn’t look like enough.
There was a time when Jacobs on the field gave Green Bay a real edge. That’s not the same conversation now. He wasn’t as explosive last season, and even when he was still dangerous near the goal line, his vision often led him straight into crowded fronts.
This year, he hadn’t even fully shaken off the rust before getting hurt. He’s expected to miss at least another game, which only sharpens the question: can the Packers really keep betting everything on Jacobs rediscovering his old form?
That feels like too much to ask.
If Green Bay goes shopping, there should be options. James Conner, Dameon Pierce, Tony Pollard and maybe even Jonathan Taylor could be available at a reasonable price. Running back isn’t the only issue in Green Bay, but it’s one they can’t afford to ignore much longer.
In Other News...
Jordan Love Is Giving Packers Fans A Very Familiar Feeling
Jordan Love spent Sunday looking every bit like the quarterback Green Bay has been waiting for, carving up the Patriots in a 45-27 win with a command that felt increasingly familiar to Packers fans. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns, added a rushing score, and kept the offense humming from start to finish in one of the cleanest outings of his career.
The numbers now put Love at the top of the league in passing yards and third in touchdowns, a striking place for a quarterback still shaping his own identity in Green Bay. After the game, he said the performance ranked among the best he has had, and the bigger question for the Packers is how often this version shows up as the season moves on. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Offense Exposed A Patriots Weakness Fans Will Love
The Packers left New England with a 45-27 win, and one of the clearest takeaways from the game was how often Green Bay found success attacking Christian Gonzalez in coverage. The Patriots cornerback had a rough afternoon, and it became a central part of a loss that exposed some real issues in New Englands secondary.
Afterward, Mike Vrabel was direct about Gonzalez not meeting expectations and also accepted some responsibility for the defense not being ready for what Green Bay brought. Gonzalez owned his performance and said he would move on and get ready for the next game, but the bigger question now is how the Patriots plan to respond after a matchup that left them with plenty to clean up. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Just Sent A Dangerous Message With More Help Coming
The Packers 45-27 win over the Patriots was the kind of statement that travels well beyond one Sunday afternoon. Jordan Love was sharp, the defense kept creating short fields and the offense looked comfortable piling on points while the pass rush and takeaway game kept New England from ever settling in. Evan Williams and Trey Smack also turned in notable performances, adding to the sense that Green Bay is getting contributions from all over the roster at the right time.
What makes the message even louder is what could be on the way next. The Packers are already playing with the kind of balance and aggression that can make them dangerous, and the possibility of Micah Parsons returning only adds another layer to the picture. If this is the version of Green Bay that shows up now, the rest of the league has reason to pay attention to what comes when the lineup gets even stronger. [Read more 🡒]