Matt LaFleur speaks publicly about Josh Jacobs arrest, but Packers still face difficult unanswered questions
The running back was arrested on Tuesday under five charges, and the head coach deferred to the organization’s statement.
Matt LaFleur talked about Josh Jacobs’ arrest, but he actually didn’t. Right before the team’s second OTA practice on Wednesday, the head coach had a media availability and deferred to the Green Bay Packers’ official statement about Jacobs.
“About Josh, I’m gonna stick with the statement that we put out as an organization,” LaFleur said. “And just let the process play out.”
In an official statement on Tuesday night, the Packers said “We are aware of the matter involving Josh Jacobs. As it is an ongoing legal situation, we will withhold further comment.”
The NFL said the league is “aware of the report” and in contact with the club.
Changes to the regular schedule
Usually, even when a press conference is before practice, it happens in the Packers’ press room and it’s streamed via the team’s official YouTube channel. On Wednesday, the process was different. Matt LaFleur’s press conference was held in a circle of local reporters. It was not streamed online.
Additionally, the Packers canceled the players’ locker room availability that was scheduled for after practice. Essentially, Green Bay insulated the coaching staff and players from further questions related to Jacobs.
The Hobart-Lawrence Police Department said Josh Jacobs was booked into the Brown County Jail on the following charges: Battery — domestic abuse, criminal damage to property — domestic abuse, disorderly conduct — domestic abuse, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. Via his attorneys, Jacobs denies the allegations.
Timeline
The Packers don’t necessarily have any type of deadline to make a decision about Josh Jacobs. If he’s not available for voluntary workouts, he misses on $600,000 in workout bonuses. The team can also fine him if he misses the mandatory minicamp, training camp, and preseason games.
Jacobs doesn’t have any guarantees left on his deal, so the Packers could theoretically just release him without further financial repercussions. However, the team doesn’t need to take action before the legal process brings more clarity to the situation.
For now, Josh Jacobs is a Packers player. But the organization won’t say anything relevant to the public.