The Green Bay Packers currently boast the NFL’s youngest roster, a lineup brimming with talent on both offense and defense. Yet, amid their youthful vigor, there’s a recognized need for seasoned leadership. This offseason, the Packers addressed this gap by securing the services of Josh Jacobs, a seasoned running back previously with the Las Vegas Raiders, known for his prowess on the field and locker room presence.
Jacobs’ arrival in Green Bay sparked intrigue, especially as he seemed keen on enticing another familiar face from his Raiders days to join him in Wisconsin. Upon signing with the Packers, Jacobs wasted no time reaching out to Davante Adams, his former teammate in Las Vegas, with a playful message: an eyeball emoji, accompanied by a question about Adams’ potential interest in following suit and joining him in Green Bay. Given the swirling trade rumors surrounding Adams at the time, Jacobs’ inquiry appeared tantalizingly loaded, hinting at a possible reunion in new colors.
However, Jacobs was quick to clarify that his message to Adams was more lighthearted banter than a serious recruitment pitch. “Me and Davante, you got to understand the relationship we have,” Jacobs shared on NFL Network’s The Insiders. “We joke around with each other a lot. We talk about certain things. Basically, when I sent him the eyeballs, it was more so about how crazy life works out. He leaves there and goes to the Raiders, and I’m going there. That’s kind of just what we were talking about.”
Despite Adams’ eventual decision to stay with the Raiders, Jacobs’ transition to Green Bay has been met with enthusiasm from both the player and the team. He has embraced the serene lifestyle in Wisconsin, appreciating the peaceful environment that allows him to focus entirely on football. “It’s so quiet, it’s peaceful,” Jacobs remarked, reflecting on his new surroundings. “Every time I think about (Green Bay), I just think football; I think about locking in, I think about perfecting my craft. Hopefully, everything I do this year and (have) been doing this offseason pays off.”
For Jacobs, the move to Green Bay signifies more than just a change of scenery. It marks a shift in his approach to the game as he embarks on the next phase of his career. “Normally I never set goals,” Jacobs admitted during his interview on The Insiders. “I take everything from a day-to-day basis, and the results of that will be what you see. That will be the goal.” Now entrenched in his second NFL contract, Jacobs is beginning to contemplate his legacy, focusing squarely on the ultimate prize: a Super Bowl championship with the Packers.
“As I’m getting older and I’m playing longer, I have a real goal of legacy,” Jacobs emphasized. “That’s a big thing. I want to play in important games, play in the playoffs and make a deep run, and play in that game, if we get there. That’s big for me. I think that’s the most important thing.”
Transitioning from the Raiders to the Packers also means adapting to a new offensive scheme and mentoring younger players on the team. At 26 years old, Jacobs finds himself in a unique position as one of the elder statesmen on a youthful Green Bay squad. He embraces this role, seeing it as an opportunity to impart wisdom and elevate the game of his younger teammates, particularly the promising receivers aiming to establish themselves in the league.
“Coming in where I’m one of the oldest guys on the team, I don’t take that lightly,” Jacobs acknowledged. “I see these young guys, especially the young receivers on the cusp of being a player in this league, and being a face and being a household staple. Being able to help guide them and teach them little things about what I do or what I see, to help them elevate their games to the next level. I think that’s part of the reason they brought me in.”
As Jacobs settles into his new role with the Packers, he remains focused on contributing to the team’s success while aiming to leave a lasting impact both on and off the field. His journey in Green Bay promises to be a pivotal chapter in his career, as he pursues his aspirations of championship glory and personal fulfillment in the NFL.
