Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs now faces two misdemeanor charges following a legal update released Thursday by the Brown County District Attorney. The charges, criminal damage to property and battery, represent a reduction from the original five claims against Jacobs, which included battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. While the reduced charges could be viewed as a relatively positive legal outcome for Jacobs, the details of the case remain serious, and the NFL may or may not suspend him for some time this season.

The full report released by the Brown County District Attorney paints a troubling picture.

“Jacobs grabbed her and threw her to the ground and she struck her head, suffering an injury. Jacobs then took her phone from her while she was on the ground. ANM laid on the ground for a while and then struggled to walk back into the house.”

That situation is obviously very serious. The Packers have waited on a potential resolution of the matter so far, but the fact that the situation is now clearer with misdemeanor charges filed could lead Green Bay to take some action regarding Jacobs. The team could also opt to wait and see if Jacobs will be legally punished before making any roster decisions.

Financial implications

Jacobs is in the third year of his four-year contract signed in free agency with the Packers back in 2024. He is set to make $11.5 million in 2026 and $13.5 million in 2027. There are no guarantees remaining on the deal because Jacobs’ guarantees consisted solely of the $12.5 million signing bonus he received in 2024.

If Green Bay decides to release Jacobs now, the team would clear $11.5 million in cash this year and $13.5 million in cash next year. His dead cap would be $3.125 million in each of 2026 and 2027, and the cap savings would total $11.5 million in 2026 and $13.5 million in 2027.

If the Packers keep Jacobs and he is suspended, he would lose around $560,000 per game, the proration of his $10.2 million base salary, which would be credited back on the Packers’ salary cap. Those are the financial circumstances Green Bay faces in this case.

Running back market

If the Packers decide to add someone, whether because they release Jacobs, because he is suspended, or simply because they want more depth at the position, the running back market is thin. The free agent options include Austin Ekeler, Antonio Gibson, Raheem Mostert, Kareem Hunt, Alexander Mattison, Miles Sanders, and Chase Edmonds.

There are also potential trade candidates around the NFL. Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is one example. There is also the Trey Benson situation with the Arizona Cardinals, as Benson reverted to the Cardinals’ injured reserve and could potentially reach an injury settlement to become available.

The reality is that there are no great options at this point, and the Packers appear comfortable with the situation. General manager Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday that he is confident Green Bay can sustain the situation even if the team loses Jacobs for a certain amount of time.

The understanding is that the Packers don’t necessarily plan to release Jacobs, or at least that was the case before the details released Thursday. The perception is that Green Bay would be comfortable with its depth if Jacobs misses a few games, but if the situation escalates to a point where Jacobs is released, the calculus changes. At that point, the Packers would be exploring a thin market with limited options at a position central to their offense.