The most anticipated offseason signing of the Packers
In order to advance to the next level when the regular season begins in 2024, the Green Bay Packers made a number of significant acquisitions over the summer. They bid farewell to a dependable player for the third straight offseason when they cut loose left tackle David Bakhtiari.
Releasing Bakhtiari allowed the organization to save $20 million on the salary cap; therefore, it was a necessary decision. Among the many former Packers who have left in recent years are Davante Adams, Aaron Rodgers, and Mason Crosby. He is the most recent.
Green Bay didn’t take long to utilize that cap space. They signed safety Xavier McKinney away from the New York Giants, which significantly improved their secondary. After reaching an agreement on a four-year, $68 million contract, McKinney became one of the NFL’s highest-paid safeties.
The greatest splash on the attacking side of the ball happened while running back. Josh Jacobs, formerly of the Los Vegas Raiders, signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Packers to become their new lead back.
With the departure of running back Aaron Jones, the Packers bid farewell to another longtime producer in order to make that move happen. According to ESPN fantasy football analyst Stephania Bell, the signing of Jacobs was the most puzzling offseason decision because of the money paid to him and the need to let go of Jones.
Josh Jacobs is being sent back to the Packers. It’s true that Aaron Jones had a poor season in the previous one. His availability was hampered by a hamstring injury he sustained in Week 1 and carried into the season. However, the team’s mantra was that Jones was the cornerstone of its run game, the center of the squad, and an indispensable presence in the locker room. The claim made against Jones is that, as an elderly running back, a new contract would have been too expensive. However, the Packers added a player to their roster on a more costly multiyear contract (four years, $48 million) who has played in the league for fewer years but has gained experience more quickly. This is about the reasoning, not about Jacob’s obvious aptitude, Bell stated.
They will see Jones twice in the 2024 season, which will only exacerbate the situation. He agreed to a one-year contract with the opposing Minnesota Vikings since Green Bay might regret cutting him later.
Jacobs’ contract isn’t your typical four-year, $48 million agreement, like many other NFL contracts. The Packers will have the option to back out of the agreement if they so desire, but there is a risk involved. Overall, Green Bay will have to pay more in 2024 to fill the running back position than if they had simply retained Jones and found a less expensive replacement for Jacobs.
