{"id":852501,"date":"2026-04-04T02:53:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T02:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/852501\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T02:53:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T02:53:21","slug":"packers-josh-jacobs-trade-pitch-only-path-to-improving-roster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/852501\/","title":{"rendered":"Packers’ Josh Jacobs Trade Pitch Only Path to Improving Roster"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Josh\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Josh Jacobs #8 of the Green Bay Packers <\/p>\n

The Green Bay Packers<\/a> are not typically involved in blockbuster trades or monster free agency moves because that is simply not how the franchise prefers to operate, though there are exceptions to that rule and one might soon be coming.<\/p>\n

Green Bay broke from its modus operandi when it sent two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark<\/a> to the Dallas Cowboys<\/a> last August in return for All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But thus far this offseason, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst<\/a> has reverted to the franchise\u2019s comfort zone of letting players on the verge of big paydays walk, such as wide receiver Romeo Doubs<\/a>, in favor of a strategy focused on drafting and development.<\/p>\n

According to Mike Sando of The Athletic, the Packers have let $97.6 million in player assets depart the organization (2nd in the league) and added just $26.8 million in salary (26th).<\/p>\n

\u201cGreen Bay didn\u2019t do anything,\u201d one rival executive told Sando<\/a> while assessing the Packers\u2019 offseason. \u201cThey are a team that historically drafts very well. They are really not a player in free agency.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sando added his own two cents on the Packers\u2019 prospects to improve before Week 1.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith no first-round pick because of the Parsons trade, Green Bay has few avenues remaining to make impact additions,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n

However, one option not broached in The Athletic\u2019s examination of the team\u2019s offseason is the possibility of trading a big-name player for a substantial return ahead of the NFL<\/a> draft, which begins April 23. One candidate in that regard is running back Josh Jacobs<\/a>, who is about to enter the third season of his four-year, $48 million<\/a> contract.<\/p>\n

Packers\u2019 Top Trade Asset This Offseason Arguably RB Josh Jacobs\"Josh<\/p>\n

GettyRunning back Josh Jacobs of the Green Bay Packers<\/p>\n

John Kosko of Pro Football Focus<\/a> on March 23 named Jacobs the Packers\u2019 top trade asset.<\/p>\n

Green Bay\u2019s offensive approach has, at times, leaned too heavily on the run game. Despite having an elite quarterback, the Packers ranked 12th in early-down run rate in 2025, often prioritizing the ground attack over more efficient passing opportunities.<\/p>\n

Jacobs has been highly productive, earning a 91.8 PFF rushing grade since joining the team, which ranks fourth among running backs. Still just 28 years old, he could command significant draft capital if the Packers choose to shift toward a more pass-centric approach.<\/p>\n

Josh Jacobs Trade May Not Result in Necessary Value to Packers\"Josh<\/p>\n

GettyGreen Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs.<\/p>\n

The pertinent questions for Green Bay are what could the organization viably get back in trade for Jacobs\/how much would that help the team fill out other areas of the roster, as well as with whom would it replace its RB1?<\/p>\n

On the depth chart behind Jacobs as of early April are Chris Brooks<\/a>, the oft-injured MarShawn Lloyd<\/a> and Pierre Strong Jr<\/a>. Between them they have 187 carries for 909 rushing yards and three TDs. Strong is the only one with any starting experience on his resum\u00e9, and he has started exactly one game in his career.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Jacobs was productive last season with 14 total TDs<\/a>, though his 4.0 yards per carry average was tied for the second-lowest of his seven-year career. He also battled injury issues down the stretch.<\/p>\n

A lack of talent at the RB position in this year\u2019s draft class beyond Jeremiyah Love<\/a> of Notre Dame<\/a> could help Jacobs\u2019 market if Green Bay decides to shop him, but it is hard to imagine the Packers can find a suitor willing to pay more than a mid-round pick for a back whose best days will soon be behind him, if they are not already.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMax Dible<\/a> covers the NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. He covered local and statewide news as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and served as news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group’s family of Big Island radio stations before joining Heavy. More about Max Dible<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Packers\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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