Titans could repeat history with Packers if Josh Jacob’s arrest fallout leaves Green Bay desperate ahead of 2026 season
Josh Jacobs’ concerning legal troubles could put the Packers in the market for a running back they weren’t planning on needing. And it just so happens the Titans have a surplus.
An unfortunate story broke on Tuesday when it came out that Packers RB Josh Jacobs had been arrested. He was booked into Brown County Jail on five violent and serious charges.
It’s a shame to have to admit how numb we can be to such incidents in the sports world. This situation isn’t as unfamiliar as it should be. So of course, it’s important to remember that the wellbeing of the individuals involved is the top priority here.
But personal tragedies have business implications as well. Jacobs is a star cog in Green Bay’s offensive machine, and any time missed by him creates a serious depth problem. The Packers recently came calling to the Titans for a low-level trade that saw a player on a rookie contract blossom in a new setting. Perhaps this could spark another such discussion.
Packers desperation could create a Titans RB trade
The latest development in the Jacobs story as of Wednesday afternoon is that he’s been released from jail. The Brown County DA is not yet ready to make any formal charges.
So perhaps this situation, mercifully, could turn out to be a bit blown out of proportion on the surface. But if it isn’t, it will not be surprising to see this impact Jacobs’ availability this year.
The Packers have arguably no less depth on their roster than they currently do at running back.
Behind Jacobs is Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd, and Pierre Strong Jr. Without their star starter, this team’s run game is in trouble.
In late August, 2024, the Titans had a surplus of QB yards talent on their roster. Malik Willis had shown arguably the most developmental growth during training camp, but there was no justification for keeping him as a third QB on the active roster. The Titans traded him to the Packers just before the season for a 7th round pick. It was a “better something than nothing” trade for Tennessee, but it ended up biting them quickly. Willis came back to Nashville as the fill-in starter less than a month later and helped beat his old team rather embarrassingly.
Jump to today, and the Titans have a surplus of talent at RB. Tony Pollard is the RB1 capable of being a bellcow when needed. Tyjae Spears is the RB2 change-of-pace back. Rookie Nick Singleton was a Day 3 pick this spring. Kalel Mullings was a Day 3 pick last spring. And Michael Carter was a free agent addition thanks in part to his familiarity with Robert Saleh in New York.
Tennessee is five-deep with competitors to make the roster, and two of them stick out as potential trade chips.
If Tennessee wanted to get bold, they could move Tyjae Spears before his contract year. He’s the second most talented player in this room and absolutely belongs in an NFL starting rotation when healthy. His availability has been his biggest hang up the past two years, and it’s why everybody assumes he won’t get a second contract in Tennessee.
If the Packers offered a valuable enough Day 3 pick, the Titans would need to be pretty, pretty confident in the Les proven depth behind Pollard.
The other name I could wrap my head around is Kalel Mullings, who has gotten buried this offseason. His rookie year was mostly a wash due to injury, but his second year is already in question due to the addition of Carter and Singleton.
Mullings’ play style makes a lot of sense to me for Green Bay. He’s a between-the-tackles thumper. I doubt he would command a pick, but maybe the Titans see a low-level player on Green Bay’s roster they’d like to try on for size. I’m reminded of the addition of LB Dorian Mausi last summer, who is now endearing himself to this coaching staff ahead of year 2. He’s turned into a valuable pickup for GM Mike Borgonzi.
So if Mullings is likely to be cut anyways, why not swap him to Green Bay for somebody you’d like to try out?