GREEN BAY – Last season, running back Josh Jacobs racked up more than 300 carries – 301 to be exact – for just the second time in his six-year career.
But the hefty workload had no lingering effects.
As training camp got underway last week, Jacobs said he's never felt better. He went into the offseason feeling back to normal after about a week, rather than needing a month or two for his body to recover.
He resumed his workout regimen, put in the requisite time in OTAs and minicamp, and now he's back ready to continue his role as the Packers' bell-cow back, looking to build on a 1,300-yard, 15-TD rushing season from 2024.
"I don't know if I'm hitting my prime … but I felt good," Jacobs, now 27 and a three-time Pro Bowler, said of his health. "This is the first year I went into the offseason and was literally not dealing with anything."
He attributes a few factors to his peak physical condition.
One was spending less time last season on artificial turf, which was easier on his joints. While the number of games on an artificial surface last season (five) wasn't much different for Jacobs compared to his time with the Raiders, he did appreciate how much the Packers practiced on natural grass – even in the winter thanks to the heated outdoor practice field.
Another was changing his diet. Last year, he cut back on snacks and removed candy from his house. Then this offseason, he took one week each month and consumed nothing but juices and fruits, a periodic "fast" of sorts that's had a positive impact on his body.
"I feel different. I feel lighter and feel like I'm floating when I'm running," he said. "That's probably the best thing I've done."
The team is doing right by him, too. The addition of a road-grading offensive lineman in free agency like 325-pound guard Aaron Banks, and the second-round draft selection of a 335-pound behemoth like Anthony Belton, were done partly with Jacobs and his power running style in mind.
The offensive line isn't currently at full strength in camp, with Banks and new center Elgton Jenkins both dealing with back injuries. But as the unit works through different combinations in the early practices, Jacobs likes what he sees.
"I just can't wait to see them in pads," Jacobs said, which occurs Monday. "Things get a little different in pads. You see who guys really are. I told them, in OTAs, they were already a little chippy, and I like that because especially up front, you gotta have nasty guys. Them guys have definitely been bringin' it."
Having signed with Green Bay to be on a perennial playoff contender striving for a Super Bowl, Jacobs clearly regrets how last season ended. A first-round exit at the hands of the eventual champion Eagles on top of a 1-5 record in the NFC North wasn't exactly what he had in mind.
As if he needed any more motivation for 2025, Jacobs immediately texted assistant head coach Rich Bisaccia – the two know each other well from their Raiders days – as soon as he saw the images circulating earlier this month of Philadelphia's Super Bowl rings.
"I was like, 'I'm sick. I'm sick,'" Jacobs said of seeing those rings. "It made me want to come to work … to give more and demand more."
Jacobs wasted no time becoming a leader in the locker room upon his arrival in Green Bay last year. The combination of being a former NFL rushing champ (2022) and a likeable guy who's serious about his business made for a natural transition.
He admits he's not afraid to "ruffle feathers" when it comes to his vocal leadership. He'll say what others may be thinking as a way to hold everyone accountable, including himself. It's all in pursuit of the ultimate for Jacobs.
"Until I get that trophy, I don't feel like I accomplished anything," he said. "That's really my No. 1 goal at this point in my career."
Which brings it back to his workload, and whether another 300-plus carries are on the horizon for him this year. He's never going to turn down the ball, and Head Coach Matt LaFleur knows it.
"We'll just let it play out," LaFleur said of how much he'll rely on Jacobs in 2025. "With running backs, you're always in constant communication with them. 'Hey, how are you feeling?' Sometimes you've got to protect them from themselves, but I think he's a guy that's proven he can handle the load."
Feeling as good as he does right now further illustrates that.
"We didn't like how we finished last year," Jacobs said. "The sense of urgency in this building, in this organization right now, is very high. We're trying to hold each other to the standard of what we want to be and what we want to accomplish."
