It's almost training camp time for the Green Bay Packers, so it's time to evaluate each position group on the roster.

Running backs

You can argue that positions like off-ball linebacker and safety went through more changes, but no spot on the Packers' roster went through a more surprising and drastic outcome than what happened with the running back room.

In a space of less than two hours, the Packers agreed to sign veteran Josh Jacobs to a four-year, $48 million deal in free agency, and then released star and fan favorite Aaron Jones.

That wild sequence of events alone brought a completely different reality to the position. But then the team was able to unexpectedly re-sign AJ Dillon and finally used a third-round pick to draft MarShawn Lloyd.

The big move

The decision to release Jones was a surprise even to general manager Brian Gutekunst, who said the idea was absolutely to bring him back. Contract negotiations fell apart, though, and the Packers weren't willing to go beyond their budget to keep the 2017 fifth-round pick.

Josh Jacobs hasn't been as efficient on a play-by-play basis, but he has carried a much heavier workload and is three years younger.

"I just think when you look at his body of work, his play style, his running style, he’ll excel (in all situations)," LaFleur said about Jacobs. "There are some things we can do in the pass game as well, get him out in the backfield."

The contract is also not as heavy as it seems at first. Even though he will make $14.8 million this year, the $12.5 million signing bonus is the only guaranteed part of the deal. Jacobs also has a $5.93 million roster bonus in 2025, and it's extremely unlikely that he will be released before that, but practically it's a two-year, $23 million deal, with two team options after that.

RB2 job on the line

The Packers didn't project to bring AJ Dillon back after his rookie contract had expired, but his market was so low that it became feasible after a few weeks.

At the end, Dillon signed a four-year qualifying offer, an unusual tool in the NFL CBA allowing the Packers to pay him $2.742 million, even when he's counting only $1.292 million (the veteran minimum) against the salary cap.

But the fact that Dillon is experienced in the NFL and in Matt LaFleur's system doesn't guarantee him the job he had until last year, the position of immediate backup. And that's because the Packers really believe in MarShawn Lloyd, the rookie third-round pick.

"He's packed in a tighter frame, but we like his ability to make people miss," Gutekunst said. "He's got a little juice to him. He's 220 pounds. He breaks tackles. We think his best football's ahead of him, and we're really excited to get him as well."

Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich mentioned that their idea is to use Lloyd as a three-down back, so he can truly be a rotational player behind Josh Jacobs whenever it's needed.

Behind the top guys

Emanuel Wilson led the NFL in preseason rushing yards last season, which secured him a 53-man spot in 2023. A shoulder injury got in his way when Aaron Jones got hurt — a moment when Wilson would presumably finally have a bigger role.

Now, though, Patrick Taylor isn't around anymore. Therefore, Wilson is the favorite to be the fourth back, and the main question becomes how many backs the Packers will carry on the active roster.

After Wilson, the Packers still have Ellis Merriweather, who spent the final stretch of last season on the team's practice squad, and Jarveon Howard, an undrafted free agent signing. These two guys are more likely than not just fighting for a PS spot.

Three reasons behind the Packers’ decision to move on from Aaron Jones to sign Josh Jacobs

Green Bay released Jones after seven seasons