The Green Bay Packers were unusually active in NFL free agency this offseason, signing top safety Xavier McKinney and All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs to lucrative contracts. While those moves received plenty of praise around the league, not everyone in the NFL thinks the Packers’ front office made the right decisions.
Green Bay made McKinney one of the highest-paid NFL players, addressing a need at safety that haunted this team for years. The signing of Jacobs, originally announced as a four-year deal worth $48 million, was first seen as an overpay considering the franchise’s decision to cut Aaron Jones.
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However, the details of Jacobs’ contract later proved to be far more team-friendly. He was also seen as a more durable option and a better fit for what style of runner the Packers’ offense wanted moving forward. Despite that, there are some around the league who believe the Packers didn’t necessarily improve as a team with the running back swap and might’ve overpaid for McKinney.
- Josh Jacobs contract (Spotrac): $12.5 million guaranteed, $5.307 million cap hit in 2024, $9.365 million dead cap if designated pre-June 1 release in 2025
Speaking to Mike Sando of The Athletic, an NFL executive explained why he didn’t love the McKinney signing and believes the move from Jones to Jacobs might come with a downside in the locker room and potentially even on the field.
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“I wasn’t a big Xavier McKinney fan — liked him, did not love him — because of the lack of speed. Aaron Jones was a leader, smart, everything you want. Josh Jacobs is a good back, but I think they could miss the leadership and football IQ that Jones brought. They wanted to trade for Jonathan Taylor last year, so they’ve been looking.”
Anonymous NFL executive on Green Bay Packers offseason moves
Still, the Packers’ front office received plenty of praise from some teams around the NFL. While a few didn’t see the logic in cutting Jones and replacing him with Jacobs, others recognized the value in having a more reliable running back and getting younger.
- Josh Jacobs stats 2023 (ESPN): 805 rushing yards, 6 rushing touchdowns, 3.5 yards per carry
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“Josh Jacobs isn’t as explosive as Aaron Jones, but Josh is available and Aaron has been hurt. They get younger at the position and potentially better in the later part of the year with a guy who is rugged and still has it. Their moves made sense to me.”
Second NFL executive on the Green Bay Packers replacing Aaron Jones with Josh Jacobs
The Packers do recognize they are losing something with Jones’ departure as head coach Matt LaFleur recently raved about Jones and what he’ll bring to the Minnesota Vikings. If Jacobs and McKinney make the impact the franchise expects from them, though, the Packers should be a Super Bowl contender in 2024.
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