Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is in a no-win situation amid the Josh Jacobs controversy. That said, having the running back return to practice on Tuesday whilst acting as if nothing was amiss may not have been the way to go.
Jacobs turned himself in to police for five alleged offenses related to domestic abuse. A statement from Jacobs' attorneys, via NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, states that their client "vehemently denies the allegations."
There's a ways to go before this case is decided, as formal charges have not yet been brought against Jacobs and may not be in the end. But what if he is formally charged?
Given that the NFL is in the midst of voluntary organized team activities, the best move for all involved would've probably been to sideline Jacobs until there's more clarity on his case. Instead, LaFleur welcomed Jacobs back to the field, and he didn't cast himself in the best light in doing so.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur clumsily stumbles along a delicate line regarding the Josh Jacobs situation
Matt Schneidman of The Athletic provided footage of Jacobs from practice, and a quote from LaFleur that he might want a mulligan on.
Josh Jacobs here at practice pic.twitter.com/DBLLTquGPZ
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) June 2, 2026
Matt LaFleur says Josh Jacobs will practice today. Says his presence hasn’t been a distraction and it’s been “business as usual.” pic.twitter.com/lFjLiAL9et
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) June 2, 2026
Not a distraction. Business as usual. Quite the downplay, no?
Look, legally speaking, Jacobs is innocent until proven guilty. At the same time, for LaFleur to be this dismissive about the case, let's be honest, comes across as aloof at best, and tone-deaf/insensitive at worst.
LaFleur's denial that an unresolved alleged domestic violence incident is an issue or a distraction is not a great look any way you slice it. The fact that LaFleur had to say anything about Jacobs contradicts the notion that it isn't a distraction.
Yes, it's possible that Jacobs won't be charged and will ultimately be fully exonerated. On the other hand, if Jacobs is held responsible for any wrongdoing and Green Bay keeps letting him practice in the meantime under the "business as usual" SOPs, that reflects so poorly on the organization.
The bottom line is, especially given that OTAs are voluntary, there's far more to be lost from Jacobs practicing at this stage of the offseason than gained. And in the meantime, LaFleur has to answer for it all.
Whether the buck stopped with LaFleur on bringing Jacobs back, or Green Bay's brass came to more of a collective consensus, this is not only rough PR-wise, but also rather out-of-touch on a human level.
To reiterate: Jacobs is innocent until proven guilty, but the fact LaFleur had to be speak out about one of his players means there is, indeed, a distracting situation transpiring.
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