The Packers built part of their offensive identity around Josh Jacobs.
Now, they may have to imagine life without him.
Jacobs’ future has become uncertain after his recent arrest connected to a domestic violence investigation. He has been released from jail, and as of the latest reporting, no formal charges have been filed while the Brown County District Attorney’s Office continues reviewing the case. That part matters: this is still an ongoing legal situation, and Jacobs is presumed innocent. But football teams do not get to wait until everything is perfectly clear. They have to prepare for every outcome.
And for Green Bay, that is where the problem gets real.
Josh Jacobs is not just another running back on the roster. He is RB1. He is the tone-setter. He is the physical presence in Matt LaFleur’s offense. He is the guy who can turn an ugly second-and-7 into a manageable third down, wear out a defense in December, protect Jordan Love from having to carry every snap, and give the Packers an identity when the passing game gets tight.
According to ESPN’s current depth chart, the Packers’ running back room behind Jacobs is Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd and Pierre Strong Jr. That is not exactly a proven safety net.
That does not mean Green Bay is doomed.
But it does mean the Packers have to move like a serious contender, not like a team hoping the problem disappears.
The first answer: Chris Brooks
If Jacobs is unavailable, Chris Brooks probably gets the first real look.
Brooks is useful. He can pass protect. He can play on third down. He can do some of the dirty work that coaches love and fans usually notice only when it goes wrong. Sports Illustrated noted that Brooks is the only other Packers running back on the roster who played offensive snaps last season, which makes him the safest internal option by default.
But there is a difference between being reliable and being RB1.
Brooks can help stabilize the room. He can be part of the answer. But asking him to replace Jacobs’ workload, physicality and red-zone value would be a massive jump.
That is the hard truth for Green Bay: Brooks may be the most trusted option, but he might not be the full solution.
The upside play: MarShawn Lloyd
The most interesting name is MarShawn Lloyd.
This is where the Packers could get bold.
Lloyd has talent. He was drafted to be more than just a depth piece. He has burst, change-of-pace ability and the kind of running style that could bring juice to the offense. If Green Bay wants to find a long-term answer already in the building, Lloyd is probably the swing.
But the issue is availability and trust.
Lloyd has dealt with injury problems early in his career, and that makes him hard to fully count on. The Packers can dream on his upside, but they cannot build an entire contingency plan around a player who still has to prove he can handle a steady NFL workload.
Still, if there is one internal player who could change the conversation, it is Lloyd.
Not because he is already Jacobs.
Because he might be the one guy in the room with real breakout potential.
The emergency plan: Pierre Strong Jr. and the rest of the room
Pierre Strong Jr. gives Green Bay another option, but he is more of a depth piece than a clear replacement. Damien Martinez and other younger backs may also get looks, but asking an unproven back to step into a playoff-level offense is risky.
That is why this situation is bigger than just “next man up.”
The Packers are not just replacing carries.
They are replacing identity.
Jacobs gave Green Bay toughness. He gave them balance. He gave Jordan Love support. He gave LaFleur the ability to stay patient instead of abandoning the run the second the offense hit trouble.
Without him, the Packers would have to rebuild the backfield plan fast.
The outside option: sign or trade for help
This is where Brian Gutekunst may have to act.
The free-agent market is not perfect, but veterans could make sense if the Packers want insurance. Sports Illustrated listed several possible veteran names available or potentially available, including Nick Chubb, Najee Harris, Kareem Hunt and Alvin Kamara, though each comes with age, injury, cost or fit questions.
A trade may be more realistic if Green Bay wants someone younger with upside. SI also mentioned possible trade names like Trey Benson, Braelon Allen, Kaleb Johnson and Isaac Guerendo as backs who could make sense depending on price and team situation.
The Packers do not need to panic.
But they do need to be aggressive.
Because if Jacobs misses time, Green Bay cannot enter the season with a backfield built entirely on hope.
Why this matters for Jordan Love
This is really the biggest part of the story.
The Packers’ offense is still centered around Jordan Love’s growth. He needs rhythm. He needs balance. He needs a run game that keeps defenses honest.
Without a serious running threat, defenses can get lighter, faster and more creative against Green Bay’s passing game. Safeties can sit deeper. Pass rushers can tee off. Third downs get longer. The offense becomes less physical and more predictable.
That is what the Packers have to avoid.
Jacobs’ value is not just his rushing yards.
It is the way he changes how defenses play the Packers.
The best replacement plan
Green Bay’s smartest plan should look like this:
Give Chris Brooks the first chance because he is the trusted option.
Give MarShawn Lloyd a real opportunity because he has the highest upside.
Add a veteran or trade target because a contender should not rely only on unproven depth.
Keep the offense flexible so Jordan Love is not forced to carry everything.
That is the cleanest path.
Not one replacement.
A committee with a purpose.
Final thought
The Packers may not lose Josh Jacobs. The legal process still has to play out, and nothing is final.
But the NFL does not wait for perfect timing.
If Green Bay wants to be taken seriously as a contender, it has to prepare like one. That means treating the running back room as a real issue, not a side note. Jacobs gave the Packers power, balance and identity. If he is gone for any amount of time, Green Bay has to find those things somewhere else.
Because in the NFC, talent gets you noticed.
Depth keeps you alive.