The Green Bay Packers may need to address the running back position through the trade market. With Josh Jacobs’ legal situation creating uncertainty and MarShawn Lloyd as the primary alternative, Green Bay could look to acquire a talented back before or during the regular season. The free agent market doesn’t offer much at this point, but several trade candidates present intriguing possibilities for general manager Brian Gutekunst.

Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals

The biggest name on this list is Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier. And that’s because Allgeier’s situation in Arizona has shifted dramatically since the Cardinals signed him in the offseason to a two-year, $12.25 million contract with a $5.5 million signing bonus. A month after that signing, the Cardinals drafted Jeremyiah Love in the first round. Arizona also has James Conner at running back, giving the team enough depth and ceiling to potentially move on from Allgeier, which would open up around $1.6 million in cap space this year and $5.15 million next year.

The problem for the Packers is that this isn’t an expensive contract for the Cardinals, and they already paid his signing bonus. A trade like this would demand real compensation.

Allgeier has been a productive player throughout his career. He became a backup in Atlanta because the Falcons drafted Bijan Robinson, arguably the best running back in the NFL, but his efficiency numbers are pretty good.

Over four NFL seasons, Allgeier has averaged 3.27 yards after contact per attempt and posted a 22.7% breakaway rate, according to PFF. That breakaway rate measures the percentage of designed rushing attempts that went for 15 or more yards. His career average sits at 4.3 yards per carry, and he scored eight touchdowns last season despite a dip to 3.6 yards per attempt. Allgeier would be the ideal option for the Packers, capable of serving as a backup or even starting if Green Bay decides to move on from Jacobs in the short or midterm.

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Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants

The best cost-benefit option on this list might be New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. There are rumors that the Giants could waive Tracy, who is entering his third NFL season. Tracy is a former fifth-round pick, but the Giants now have Cam Skattebo, Devin Singletary, and Najee Harris, giving them plenty of depth at the position. Tracy has shown some pass-blocking deficiencies, which has made the Giants less than thrilled with his development.

His efficiency numbers, however, are solid. As a rookie, Tracy had 192 attempts for 839 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry with five touchdowns. Last season, he posted 176 attempts for 704 yards, two touchdowns, and a 4.2 yards-per-attempt average. He’s also a complete player in the passing game, recording more than 280 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons with three total receiving touchdowns. Tracy can return kickoffs, too, adding another dimension to his value.

Tracy shouldn’t cost much in terms of draft compensation or salary, and he still has two years left on his rookie contract. At 26 years old, there’s upside for the Packers to develop him further.

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James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

If the Packers want a short-term fix without significant investment, the other Cardinals running back in this discussion is James Conner. The concern here is that Conner is 31 years old, and trading for a running back at that age carries obvious risk. Conner suffered a foot injury last year and played only three games, posting his worst yards-per-carry average (3.0) of his NFL career. His career average is 4.4, and he was coming off two consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons before the injury limited him to just 95 yards in those three games.

Conner is a competent back who would give the Packers a certain floor, but the ceiling isn’t particularly high. His $3 million salary is manageable, but not insignificant if Green Bay decides to pull the trigger.

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Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

The final name here is Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard, a former fourth-round pick from 2021. Hubbard isn’t necessarily a great running back, but he’s had productive stretches. In 2024, he posted more than 1,300 scrimmage yards and 11 scrimmage touchdowns for the Panthers.

Carolina’s situation has changed, though. Jonathon Brooks is finally healthy, and the Panthers also have Trevor Etienne, former Packer AJ Dillon, and undrafted rookie Miles Davis. If the Panthers feel confident going through the season with that group, they could move on from Hubbard, primarily because of his $6 million salary. That’s real money for a backup running back. The Packers probably wouldn’t pursue a deal for Hubbard unless they truly decide to release Jacobs. Only then would Green Bay be comfortable paying that type of money for the position.