Green Bay Packers go young at the running back position

Many have been scratching their heads a bit after Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson went all-in last Saturday for running backs in the latter rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Didn’t the franchise already have three running back who were thought to be ready for prime time in 2017?

We got our answer to that questioning today when Thompson and the Green Bay jettisoned two of those backs and made the commitment to the young guys who will be headed to rookie camp with the team.

The Packers announced today that running backs Christine Michael and  Don Jackson would be released.

Thompson drafted Brigham Young’s Jamaal Williams in the fourth round, a nice pickup of a player with a huge upside; he then picked UTEP’s Aaron Jones in the fifth round; and closed things out by using a seventh round pick on Utah State’s Devante Mays.

The writing was on the wall.

Head coach Mike McCarthy told the world in his post-draft press conference that Ty Montgomery, the converted wide receiver who took over late last year at the position and ended up being the team’s leading rusher, would be the starting running back in 2017.

But at that point, there was no indication what would happen with the crowded backfield as the Packers’ continued to define the roster.

Now we know … the Packers are going young and green. And it appears they like it that way.

We all knew that Montgomery was a lock at the position heading into the offseason, but we also knew that the guys behind him were riding the bubble and probably wouldn’t make it through training camp, if they were still on the team at that point.

Montgomery was moved to the backfield after former Packers Eddie Lacy and James Starks fell to injury.

His production was not just good, it was off the charts for a guy who just a few weeks before had been taking reps as a wide receiver.

So convinced was McCarthy that Montgomery could handle the job, he gave no indication at the end of the season that his status for 2017 would change. He confirmed last weekend that Montgomery was his starter.

In nine games total last year, Michael rushed for 114 yards on 31 carries and the lone touchdown he scored at Chicago. While that was one big play that helped the team to an NFC North Division win, it wasn’t enough to guarantee him a spot this coming season.

Michael continued to play in the playoffs and accumulated 58 yards on 16 carries, but he seemed indecisive and never really gained any traction, nor the confidence of his quarterback and head coach.

Though the Packers signed Michael to an $800,000 deal last month, by cutting him he will only receive $25,000 that was guaranteed to him.

Jackson was an undrafted free agent last year with the Packers who made his way to the roster after Lacy and Starks went down. His place was mostly on special teams.

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So, with the decision to cut the two 2016 Packers, it’s clear that Thompson and McCarthy feel they have a stable of backs who can carry them through 2017.

Many continue to debate the situation, calling for the Packers to do even more, like bring in a LeGarrette Blount or Jamaal Charles.

Frankly, I don’t see that happening … stay tuned.