With NFL free agency starting thanks to the legal tampering period, news is flying. From re-signings to trades to new deals, everyone is getting in on the action. For the Green Bay Packers, they’re signing former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. How is the NFL world reacting?
NFL World Reacting to Josh Jacobs Signing With Packers
It was first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that Jacobs was joining Green Bay. Jacobs was a free agent for the first time since joining the Raiders in 2019 as a first-round pick. The specific details of the deal have yet to be announced.
“There’s no way this happened,” said one NFL fan on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Aaron Jones and Josh Jacobs in the same backfield is crazy,” said another.
The signing was expected to pair Jacobs and Jones together, signaling the end for AJ Dillon in Green Bay. Dillon, an impending free agent himself, ran for 2,428 yards and 16 touchdowns on 597 carries over his four years with the Packers.
However, the pairing will not take place. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Packers are releasing Jones. In 2021, Jones signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers. The 2024 season was supposed to be the final year of his contract, with Jones earning a base salary of $11.1 million and holding a cap hit of $17.5 million.
“Never forget the time Aaron Jones and Josh Jacobs teamed up to creative one of the fiercest dynamic rushing attacks,” said another fan on X.
Jacobs has rushed for 5,545 yards and 46 touchdowns on 1,305 carries over his five professional seasons. He also added 197 receptions for 1,448 yards.
Jones, who had been with the Packers since 2017, had rushed for 5,940 yards and 45 touchdowns on 1,177 carries and added 272 receptions for 2,076 yards and 18 touchdowns.
“They’re going to win the NFC now,” said another NFL fan on X. Despite being a very young team in 2023, the Packers beat the odds and made the playoffs as the No. 7 seed. They then went on to upset the No. 2-seeded Dallas Cowboys before falling to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.
KEEP READING: Packers Agree to Terms With Josh Jacobs — What’s Next for Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon?
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Packers had approached Jones earlier this offseason about taking a pay cut. Ultimately, talks fell through following the Jacobs deal, leading to Jones’ release.
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