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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs produced a big-time statistical season and made the Pro Bowl during his first season in Green Bay, but the veteran runner wants to become truly elite in 2025 -- and he thinks reaching that goal will require more explosive, game-changing runs.
After Wednesday's OTA session, Jacobs said he left some yards "on the table" in 2024, when he turned 301 carries into 1,329 yards -- the sixth-most rushing yards in the NFL. The difference between Jacobs and those ahead of him? Winning in a couple of big spots and creating more explosive runs.
"It was a few plays where I had some 1-on-1s, where if I made a person miss or broke that tackle, it was the difference between a 20-yard gain and a 60-yard gain. Those little things like that, those make people elite. So that's what I'm trying to come into the offseason and work on," Jacobs said.
Jacobs has the right idea, according to the numbers -- he produced zero runs of 40 or more yards and only seven of 20 or more last season. In comparison, Saquon Barkley -- who won the rushing title with over 2,000 yards -- had 17 runs of 20 or more and seven of 40 or more.
Jacobs might not have Barkley's elite breakaway speed, but making a linebacker or defensive back miss at the second level can still be the difference between a 10-yard run and a 50-yard run.
Jacobs said he worked on conditioning and body callousing to ensure he's always in a position -- regardless of time in a game or week of the season -- to create a big play in a big spot.
It's possible a few upgrades along the offensive line, starting with the addition of left guard Aaron Banks, will help Jacobs accomplish his goal. According to Pro Football Focus, Jacobs gained 1,039 of his 1,329 yards after first contact, highlighting how much individual effort it took to gain consistent yards in 2024.
In comparison, Barkley gained just over half of his total yards after first contact -- suggesting he had superior blocking from the Eagles offensive line.
Mix good blocking with an elite talent and the numbers will follow. The Packers already have the elite rushing talent in Jacobs, but the consistency of the run blocking must improve.
"If you take a good back and you give him space, that separates a lot of people," Jacobs said.
Jacobs finished the 2024 season with four runs of 30 or more yards and a long run of 38 yards. He did have 33 runs of 10 or more yards, ranking sixth overall. Challenging for the rushing crown in 2025 might require Jacobs to turn more of the 10-yard runs into 30-yard runs, and turning his 30-yard runs into the long, game-changing plays that backs such as Barkley and Derrick Henry produced last season.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: After big 2024 season, Packers RB Josh Jacobs wants more explosive plays in 2025
Continue reading...
After Wednesday's OTA session, Jacobs said he left some yards "on the table" in 2024, when he turned 301 carries into 1,329 yards -- the sixth-most rushing yards in the NFL. The difference between Jacobs and those ahead of him? Winning in a couple of big spots and creating more explosive runs.
"It was a few plays where I had some 1-on-1s, where if I made a person miss or broke that tackle, it was the difference between a 20-yard gain and a 60-yard gain. Those little things like that, those make people elite. So that's what I'm trying to come into the offseason and work on," Jacobs said.
Jacobs has the right idea, according to the numbers -- he produced zero runs of 40 or more yards and only seven of 20 or more last season. In comparison, Saquon Barkley -- who won the rushing title with over 2,000 yards -- had 17 runs of 20 or more and seven of 40 or more.
Jacobs might not have Barkley's elite breakaway speed, but making a linebacker or defensive back miss at the second level can still be the difference between a 10-yard run and a 50-yard run.
Jacobs said he worked on conditioning and body callousing to ensure he's always in a position -- regardless of time in a game or week of the season -- to create a big play in a big spot.
It's possible a few upgrades along the offensive line, starting with the addition of left guard Aaron Banks, will help Jacobs accomplish his goal. According to Pro Football Focus, Jacobs gained 1,039 of his 1,329 yards after first contact, highlighting how much individual effort it took to gain consistent yards in 2024.
In comparison, Barkley gained just over half of his total yards after first contact -- suggesting he had superior blocking from the Eagles offensive line.
Mix good blocking with an elite talent and the numbers will follow. The Packers already have the elite rushing talent in Jacobs, but the consistency of the run blocking must improve.
"If you take a good back and you give him space, that separates a lot of people," Jacobs said.
Jacobs finished the 2024 season with four runs of 30 or more yards and a long run of 38 yards. He did have 33 runs of 10 or more yards, ranking sixth overall. Challenging for the rushing crown in 2025 might require Jacobs to turn more of the 10-yard runs into 30-yard runs, and turning his 30-yard runs into the long, game-changing plays that backs such as Barkley and Derrick Henry produced last season.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: After big 2024 season, Packers RB Josh Jacobs wants more explosive plays in 2025
Continue reading...
