There is no denying that the Green Bay Packers enter the 2026 season desperate for revenge. The Chicago Bears humiliated them last year, stealing the division from them with that overtime win in December and then crushing their dreams with a comeback for the ages in the playoffs. That said, the Packers are still a good football team and no doubt intend to focus on reasserting control of the rivalry. A huge part of that plan is running back Josh Jacobs, who remains the focal point of their offense.
Or at least that was the plan. News broke on Tuesday that the Pro Bowler was arrested in Wisconsin. He faces five charges, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. None of them is good.
“Green Bay Packers star running back Josh Jacobs was arrested Tuesday and booked on several domestic violence charges, according to the Hobart-Lawrence (Wisconsin) Police Department.
Jacobs, 28, was booked on charges of battery — domestic abuse, criminal damage to property — domestic abuse, disorderly conduct — domestic abuse, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim.”
Jacobs and his representatives deny the charges, stating proper evidence hasn’t been submitted yet. Still, this is not a good look. If the running back did any of that, he would be looking at serious jail time. Never mind suspension from the league. If all charges reach conviction, Jacobs is looking at 20+ years in prison.
The Packers better pray Josh Jacobs is being set up.
It isn’t uncommon for people, be they women or others, to try to exploit professional athletes for money. That is what Green Bay must hope is the case here. Jacobs doesn’t have a history of off-field issues. His only incident on record was a DUI in Las Vegas that was later dismissed. Outside of that, he’s stayed out of trouble. This violent outburst, for which he’s been arrested, feels like a significant departure from his known character. That isn’t to say he is incapable of it, but it is certainly not part of any pattern.
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If it is true, then his career might be over. It also puts the Packers in a brutal spot. Their offense has been built around running the football under head coach Matt LaFleur for years. As Jacobs goes, the Packers go. If he’s out, the team is left with Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd, and Pierre Strong Jr. as their other options. Brooks hasn’t cracked 200 yards rushing in any of his three previous seasons. Lloyd has barely played because of constant injuries. Strong is a journeyman who didn’t accomplish much at previous stops.
Green Bay would have to hope one of them steps up or finds a solid veteran in free agency who can carry the load. Neither option is ideal.
Like it or not, this is great news for the Bears.
Josh Jacobs is a really good player. He’s been a constant thorn in Chicago’s side over the past two years. Go back and watch that backbreaking run late in the first matchup last season at Lambeau Field. The guy is a nightmare to get on the ground. His absence would immediately put more pressure on quarterback Jordan Love to shoulder the load. It is worth noting that Green Bay’s quarterback is 4-10-1 in games in which he’s thrown more than 36 passes. There is a reason the Packers prefer running the ball.
That is why this Jacobs development hurts so much. If it had happened in February or March, the team would’ve at least had time to go hunting for help in free agency or the draft. The timing is brutal. It leaves them in the lurch with no clear solution. Their only hope is that the charges are somehow dismissed before the start of the regular season in September. Otherwise, they go into a critical season of their Super Bowl window without their most important offensive player.
