When Josh Jacobs signed with the Green Bay Packers last offseason, expectations were high — but few could have predicted just how much he’d overcome during his first year in Cheese Country.
Jacobs, known for his bruising style and explosive playmaking, quickly became the engine of Green Bay’s offense. Despite missing time due to injury in previous seasons, he stayed healthy and delivered a career year in 2025:
- 1,329 rushing yards
- 15 total touchdowns (career-high)
- 4.4 yards per carry
- 36 receptions for 342 receiving yards
But there was one shadow looming over his breakout season — the penalty curse.
The Penalty Problem That Nearly Overshadowed Greatness
In an ironic twist of fate, Jacobs found himself at the center of one of the NFL’s more unusual statistical categories: most rushing yards lost to penalties.
He led the league in that department with a staggering 94 yards wiped off the board, ahead of even Lamar Jackson, who sat at 87 yards. What’s worse? Three of his touchdowns were nullified by flags, tying him for the most in the league.
That kind of misfortune could derail any player, especially one coming off a fresh start with a new team.
But not Jacobs.
Instead of letting frustration take over, he used it as fuel.
“It’s part of the game,” Jacobs said after Week 15. “I can’t control what happens behind me, but I can control what happens when I get the ball again.”
That mindset is exactly what made his season so impressive.
A Redemption Arc Years in the Making
For those who followed Jacobs’ career in Las Vegas, this resurgence came as no surprise — just long overdue.
After being released by the Raiders following a down 2023 season, many wondered if his best days were behind him. But Green Bay saw something different — a powerful runner with underrated hands and a relentless will to prove doubters wrong.
And prove them wrong, he did.
From early-season dominance to late-game heroics, Jacobs reminded everyone why he was once the No. 24 overall pick in the 2019 draft.
His chemistry with quarterback Jordan Love grew stronger as the season progressed, and his ability to grind out tough yards in cold-weather games made him a fan favorite in Lambeau.
Why This Season Matters for the Packers
The Packers didn’t just add Jacobs for short-term success — they brought him in to be a cornerstone of their offensive rebuild.
At 27 years old, he’s still in his prime, and if the team can clean up blocking assignments and reduce pre-snap infractions, there’s no reason he can’t top 1,500 rushing yards next season.
More importantly, Jacobs brings a physical identity to Green Bay’s offense that has been missing since the days of Eddie Lacy.
His resilience, leadership, and sheer determination are exactly what head coach Matt LaFleur needs to reignite a culture in transition.
Final Takeaway: A Story of Grit and Growth
Josh Jacobs’ 2025 was not perfect — far from it.
Perfection isn’t always the goal. Sometimes greatness is defined by how you respond when things go wrong.
Despite leading the league in lost yards due to penalties, Jacobs pushed through, finished strong, and helped turn around a Packers offense that was lost.
Now with a full offseason under his belt and a full year of trust in Green Bay, Jacobs is ready to make more noise in 2026, without the flags.