Josh Jacobs Finds New Purpose with Packers After Questioning Raiders Future
Josh Jacobs didn't mince words when recalling his frustrations with the Las Vegas Raiders. The noted Pro Bowl running back pondered his future with the team after five seasons of hard work and dedication seemed to yield lackluster results. Clutch performances and a blue-chip athletic record were met with insufficient team success, leading Jacobs to a crossroads in his career.
"That went (into) me leaving," Jacobs recounted. "Coming from Alabama, I went to a championship every year I was there. I remember coming to the league and losing my first game, and I was mad and not talking to nobody. A vet came up to me and was like, 'This is the NFL. You're going to lose.' I'm like, 'So ya'll cool with losing?' It was so different." Indeed, Jacobs had grown disillusioned with the culture of losing, despite his exceptional contributions on the field.
Considering his collegiate career at Alabama, where he was immersed in a culture of winning championships, the transition to the NFL—and specifically the Raiders—was jarring. Despite two Pro Bowl appearances and even clinching a rushing title, team accomplishments remained elusive. "Then, the most frustrating thing about it all, you've got me, and Tae (Davante Adams) and Maxx (Crosby), you've got guys who come in every day and work hard, and you don't get the results. ... You'll be close every year, but (we're) not winning. You want me to come back on a discount and lose? I don't know how I feel about that," he expressed.
This offseason, a pivotal change occurred as Jacobs signed with the Green Bay Packers. The move injected a renewed sense of purpose into his career. The Packers, known for their steady success in recent years—an average of 11.2 wins per season and four playoff appearances over the last five seasons—seemed to offer the stability and winning culture Jacobs craved.
Last season, the Packers exhibited their resilience by overcoming a challenging 3-6 start to advance to the divisional round, even pulling off an upset against the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card round. With Jordan Love at the helm as the quarterback, supported by a well-regarded offensive line and a talented group of receivers, the Packers' offense had shown great promise.
Jacobs quickly recognized this potential. "I honestly think the sky is the limit in this offense," he remarked. "Obviously, with having a special guy in Jordan Love, you know, and having a good offensive line and some good receivers out there makes it a lot easier for me, but just to be able to see the game plan and things that they want me to do this year, the things that they're allowing me to do, I just think it's going to be a special year."
The move to the Packers has reinvigorated Jacobs, offering not just a fresh start but also a chance to contribute to a team with a clear path to success. Whether it’s the reassurance of playing alongside motivated teammates or the anticipation of executing dynamic game plans, Jacobs is embracing this chapter with enthusiasm.
As the NFL season unfolds, eyes will be on Josh Jacobs to see how he meshes with his new team and whether this new environment brings out the best in his game. For a player whose career has been as prolific as it has been mired in team struggles, Green Bay represents the hope of both personal and team victories. This season could well mark a significant milestone for Jacobs and the Packers, reflecting the epitome of perseverance and talent meeting opportunity.