"Countdown to camp" is a position-by-position overview of the Packers' roster heading into training camp. The series continues with the running backs.

GREEN BAY – There are two burning questions when it comes to the Packers' running backs in 2025.

What will Josh Jacobs do for an encore? And who will be his top backup?

Starting with Jacobs, the prized 2024 free agent addition on offense did not disappoint. In putting together a 1,300-yard, 15-TD season on the ground that also included his first career receiving touchdown and third Pro Bowl selection, Jacobs lived up to his workhorse billing.

He carried the ball 301 times, the first Packers running back with 300-plus rushes in a season since Ryan Grant back in 2008. He also had the team's first outing with 30-plus carries since Grant when he toted the ball 32 times for 151 yards in a Week 2 victory over the Colts with backup QB Malik Willis taking over for an injured Jordan Love.

Jacobs (5-10, 223) then capped his year with 121 yards from scrimmage (81 rushing, 40 receiving) and a TD in the playoff loss at Philadelphia, another grind-it-out performance that featured a 31-yard run through multiple Eagles defenders with the shirt under his jersey getting ripped apart in a trail behind him.

What he's got in store in his second Packers season will be highly anticipated. Jacobs claimed this spring "he left a lot on the table" last year, meaning his best is still out there.

"I had like 300-some yards called back (due to penalties) but not only that, there were a few plays where I had some one-on-ones 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," he said. "Little things like that, I feel like that's what makes people elite."

Behind their bell-cow back, the Packers have multiple contenders vying to be the first off the bench to spell him.

Last year, that job was shared somewhat between Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks.

After injuries hampered his undrafted rookie season in 2023, Wilson (5-10, 226) played in every game last year, rushing 103 times for 502 yards (4.9 avg.) and four TDs, adding 11 catches for 48 yards and another score in the passing game. The third-year pro from Fort Valley State has been lauded by the coaching staff for his improvements in pass protection

Brooks (6-1, 219) was a late addition last summer, signing to the practice squad in Week 1, getting elevated to the active roster in mid-September, and then carving out a reserve role as the season progressed by proving to be a studious, reliable pro. He wound up with 36 carries for 183 yards (5.1 avg.) and a TD, plus 11 receptions for 69 yards, the bulk of that work coming from November on.

Their biggest challenger for the No. 2 job comes in the form of MarShawn Lloyd, a 2024 third-round draft pick from USC whose rookie season was derailed by various ailments. A hip injury early in training camp followed by a hamstring injury in preseason action and then an ankle injury from his lone regular-season appearance in Week 2 (six carries, 15 yards; one reception, three yards) severely curtailed his on-field time.

Then, in mid-November, just when he was on the verge of being activated off injured reserve, a sudden bout with appendicitis required emergency surgery that sidelined him the rest of the season.

Chalking it all up to "a learning experience," Lloyd is eager to show what he can do when healthy, and the Packers are equally eager to see it. Built differently from the rest of the team's backs at 5-9, 220, Lloyd provides an intriguing combination of speed, shiftiness and power that could make for an interesting pairing with Jacobs if he can beat out the competition.

Two other running backs added to the mix this spring are undrafted rookies Amar Johnson and Jalen White.

Johnson (5-10, 205) rushed for more than 3,000 yards in 59 games at South Dakota State, earning first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors the last two years. White (6-0, 205) also topped 3,000 rushing yards over 59 games (33 starts) at Georgia Southern.

Countdown to camp series:

QBs - Packers possess strong 1-2 punch at quarterback