The Green Bay Packers strengthened Jordan Love's supporting cast this offseason, both by adding bodyguards to the offensive line, and also by adding multiple pass-catchers, including early-round draft picks Matthew Golden and Savion Williams.
It's easy to forget about a big-time investment Green Bay added to its ascending offense a little over a year ago: running back MarShawn Lloyd.
Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson packed plenty of power in the backfield last term, and the arrival of left guard Aaron Banks (and eventually rookie Anthony Belton) will play to their strengths.
But Lloyd adds a missing ingredient to the Packers' rushing attack: game-changing speed. Now fully healthy and ready to go, he is poised for a breakout second season.
MarShawn Lloyd is poised for a breakout season with Packers in 2025
Jacobs will continue to lead the backfield, but Lloyd will remind everyone why the Packers drafted him in the third round a year ago.
His home-run potential will perfectly complement the other running backs. Jacobs wears down defenses with his strength and relentless tackle-breaking ability, which will make life far easier for Lloyd to enter the game and create chaos.
While speaking on the appropriately named Matt LaFleur Podcast last December, the Packers' head coach said Lloyd can "bring a dimension" to the offense.
"Going back and watching him in the Indianapolis game, you can't deny the explosiveness this guy has," said LaFleur. "Just that explosiveness, his ability to run routes, catch balls out of the backfield, that's a little different from the rest of the guys in the group."
Lloyd's acceleration and speed are obvious even on the practice field, and his return will allow LaFleur to dive deep into his playbook. Think of the fakes and creative plays LaFleur can call when he has Lloyd and Jacobs on the field together, especially when defenses have to worry about Matthew Golden or a returning Christian Watson burning them on play-action. Look. Out.
Jacobs has continued to sing Lloyd's praises, and for good reason. They ride to practice together, and soon they will form an outstanding 1-2 punch in the backfield.
But Lloyd's game isn't just about speed. Per Pro Football Focus, he forced 47 missed tackles after a rush and averaged an impressive 3.97 yards after contact in his final season for TCU.
LaFleur will use him as a complementary back to Jacobs, but the second-year pro can also offer a ton as a receiver out of the backfield. There's no limit to Lloyd's potential in this system.
The key is staying healthy. Lloyd battled multiple injuries in a frustrating rookie year but has taken steps to overcome them this offseason, including a trip to the University of Wisconsin to meet with specialists, something the Packers had Christian Watson and Eric Stokes do the year before. While Watson's season ended with a torn ACL, neither he nor Stokes dealt with the recurring hamstring issues from 2023.
Lloyd needs to stay on the field, but he has unlimited upside in the Packers' ascending offense.
The breakout season is on its way.