Just before the start of the 2026 season, the Green Bay Packers learned that they would be without Josh Jacobs after he landed on the Commissioner's Exempt List due to off-field issues. Regardless of the reason why Jacobs won't be available, the Packers need to replace him. Fortunately for them, they may just have an intriguing candidate in place.
MarShawn Lloyd was a third-round selection in the 2024 draft, but injuries limited him to just one game the past two seasons. Understandably, not much was expected from him going into the 2026 season. However, the former USC playmaker is quietly changing the narrative.
For the first time in his career, Lloyd is 100% healthy for the season opener and is in a prime position to help soften the blow of Jacobs' absence.
The Packers are confident MarShawn Lloyd can fill in Josh Jacobs' shoes
Even though the Packers knew for a while that there was a chance he could be unavailable for 2026, they didn't make a big addition to their backfield until they sent a sixth-round selection to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Kaleb Johnson.
Although Green Bay expects Johnson to contribute, one big reason the team's brass didn't make a move before stemmed from their belief that MarShawn Lloyd could have an impact next season.
Lloyd made an impression in the offseason program, and more importantly, he managed to stay healthy. Sure, he only had 30 yards on 10 totes in two preseason games, but he routinely showed burst and big-play capability in training camp, so his underwhelming stat line during the preseason shouldn't be a reason for concern.
For his part, Lloyd told the local media that he's ready to play ball, adding that he's "looking for any opportunity."
The Packers have no option but to thrust Lloyd into action
Now, nobody is saying that MarShawn Lloyd is the second coming of Ahman Green, or that he'll be an All-Pro running back by the end of the season. Instead, he'll be part of a backfield committee alongside Kaleb Johnson that will help the Packers replace Josh Jacobs for as long as he's away.
Worst-case scenario, Lloyd turns out to be not much more than a depth piece, but based on a limited sample, there's a chance that he becomes a productive running that can thrive in a rotation.
Of course, there are concerns about Lloyd because of his dearth of experience, but running back isn't a position in which you need lots of reps to hit your stride. This is by no means an attempt to undermine how difficult it is to play running back, especially at the NFL level, but rather to point out that Green Bay could have a sleeper in Lloyd because he has the traits to succeed.
Barring another move, the Packers have no option but to see what they have in MarShawn Lloyd. Back in 2023, they liked him enough that they invested a Day 2 pick in him. Fast forward to 2026, and he'll get a prime opportunity to show Green Bay that keeping him around was the right call.
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