The Green Bay Packers have made the shock of free agency so far.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Packers are signing free-agent running back Josh Jacobs. Green Bay rarely spends significant money in the opening week of free agency, especially at the running back position.
Jacobs is one of the league's best running backs. He is a two-time Pro Bowler, one-time first-team All-Pro, and has three 1,000-yard seasons.
But how should Packers fans feel about this one? Brian Gutekunst is taking a gamble by paying presumably top money for a running back, but there's no denying his talent and potential impact in Matt LaFleur's offense.
The details of the contract will give us a better indication, but it's a first-week-of-free-agency move for one of the league's best running backs. The Packers likely had to spend significant money to get it done. We'll see.
The other concern is what this means for Aaron Jones. Can the Packers pay two running backs, or have they signed Jacobs as a replacement?
Packers fans react in shock to Josh Jacobs signing
Few could've predicted this. The Packers never make moves like this in free agency. But Packers fans are understandably concerned, wanting to know how much the team spent and what it means for Jones moving forward.
Does signing Jacobs cost them the chance of landing a safety like Xavier McKinney?
Any money spent on Josh Jacobs means its not money being spent on positions of much greater need. If they miss out on McKinney or a LB now because of a few bucks it'll because we wasted it on a RB
— Cody Bauer (@CBauerNFLDraft) March 11, 2024
Does this mean Aaron Jones won't be a Packer in 2024?
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) March 11, 2024
I will not be ok with that. https://t.co/ktgVAwEtBZ
Jacobs has been a very, very, good football player in four of his five pro seasons.
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) March 11, 2024
He was arguably the best back in the NFL in 2022.
That said, I am diametrically opposed to paying running backs.
What in the actual world. https://t.co/87N40BPSGV
i refuse to have feelings about the josh jacobs signing i'm sorry
— sam. (@sammwichh) March 11, 2024
Jacobs had a significant decline last year imo. But was in a horrible situation with the Raiders. Very interesting use of resources to say the least.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) March 11, 2024
There are reasons to be excited. Jacobs is a former NFL rushing champion and could form an unstoppable combination with Jones. However, his numbers declined last season, and paying big money for free-agent running backs is a huge risk.
Will it cost Green Bay other players at positions of need? That's the worry. And would the Packers have been better off drafting a running back?
Only time will tell. But it will be fascinating.