Josh Jacobs proved worth every single penny he was paid by the Green Bay Packers in 2024 without an outstanding first season with his new team.
Yet, the financial responsibility remaining for the Packers has one NFL Insider believing this is the most team-friendly deal in the league at the RB position entering 2025.
Josh Jacobs’ Contract with Packers Named Most Team-Friendly Deal at the RB Position
Dan Graziano of ESPN dissected some of the biggest contract signings of the last few seasons and named Josh Jacobs’ deal with the Green Bay Packers as the most team-friendly deal at the RB position entering the 2025 NFL season.
Graziano wrote, “Jacobs was only 26 when he signed the deal, but the reason it’s a good deal for the Packers is that they made no commitment to him beyond that first year. Jacobs received a $12.5 million signing bonus, a non-guaranteed $1.2 million salary and some workout and per-game roster bonuses that pushed his total 2024 compensation up to $14.8 million.”
Jacobs produced 1,671 total yards and 16 total touchdowns in his first season in Green Bay, which made him one of the best free agent acquisitions of the 2024 offseason. His excellent production made keeping him around for the 2025 NFL season a no brainer from the Packers perspective.
Graziano added, “But Jacobs delivered, rushing for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first season in Green Bay. And if the Packers decided they wanted or needed to move on from him this offseason, they’d only have been out that $14.8 million… So they’ll keep him this year and pay him another $8.2 million — $1.17 million in base salary, a $5.93 million roster bonus, a $600,000 workout bonus and $500,000 in per-game roster bonuses as long as he plays all 17 games.”
Jacobs was slightly better back in 2022 with 2,053 total yards and 12 scores as the clear focal point of a weak Las Vegas Raiders offense, but if Jacobs delivers an encore performance in 2025, then it would be shocking to see the Packers part ways with the veteran back with two years remaining on the deal.
What is the Financial of Parting Ways with Josh Jacobs After the 2025 NFL Season?
The Packers originally signed Jacobs for four seasons for $48 million with $12.5 million fully guaranteed ahead of the 2024 NFL season, but parting ways with Jacobs after this year could make for an interesting decision next offseason.
Graziano concluded, “If the Packers cut Jacobs after this season, they’d have paid him $23 million over two years — an average of $11.5 million per year, which ranks sixth among running backs. Totally reasonable, especially given the way he has performed. Unless the Packers reward Jacobs with an extension after his strong first season — the way the Eagles did with Barkley and the Ravens did with Henry — he’ll continue to be one of the best values in the league at his position. And if his play falls off, Green Bay can cut him without owing him any money.”
The Packers didn’t exactly bring in any significant competition for Jacobs this offseason. MarShawn Lloyd is a talented prospect but dealt with injuries for the majority of his rookie year in 2024.
Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks could factor in a bit, but neither feel like a real threat to steal the backfield away from Jacobs entering the 2025 NFL season.
Jacobs has a chance to earn his dollars again this season and figures to be a pivotal part of an offense that relied heavily on its rushing attack in 2024.
