While there were many big-time moves in the first part of the 2024 NFL free agency cycle, not many were bigger than what the Green Bay Packers did with their running back room. A big part of that was signing former Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs. What are his contract details?
Josh Jacobs’ Contract Details
Jacobs was drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Raiders. In 2024, he was finally able to hit the open market, where he signed with the Packers. Here’s everything we know about his new four-year contract, according to Over the Cap:
- $48 million on the surface
- $12.5 million fully guaranteed in Year 1, no guarantees beyond that
- A $1.2 million base salary in 2024, with a potential out in 2025
- A $1.17 million base salary in 2025, $10.2 million in 2026, and $12.2 million in 2027
- A $5.93 million roster bonus in 2025
While there’s a potential for Jacobs to make a lot of money on this deal, he will have to earn it with success on the field. The contract could, at worst, end in a one-year, $14.8 million deal, with Green Bay incurring a $9.37 million dead cap hit.
Significance of Jacobs Joining the Packers
To make the deal work, the Packers released running back Aaron Jones, essentially swapping running backs. Jones was on a four-year, $48 million deal of his own with the Packers that featured $13 million guaranteed. The two sides looked at restructuring, but things didn’t work out, leading to his release.
Since his release, Jones has signed with the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year, $7 million deal. The Packers have, however, brought back backup running back AJ Dillon, though no details have been released.
Losing Jones means the Packers lose the running back who has led the way for the last seven years, rushing for 5,940 yards and 45 touchdowns on 1,177 attempts. He also had 272 receptions for 2,076 yards and 18 scores. Jones is just a one-time Pro Bowler and one-time NFL rushing touchdowns co-leader.
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Jacobs will be replacing that production with five years of production of his own. He’s had 1,305 attempts for 5,545 yards and 46 TDs. He adds 197 receptions for 1,448 yards and no touchdowns. Jacobs is a one-time first-team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler. He also led the NFL in rushing yards in 2022 with 1,653.
A big issue that Jones struggled with was injuries. He’s suffered 12 different injuries in his career that have cost him time, including two in 2023. Jacobs, on the other hand, has had just six, with one in 2023.
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