The Green Bay Packers will soon face some difficult roster decisions at running back. Josh Jacobs has been lifted from the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List, and the Packers’ backfield is about to get crowded, even though the quality of the group is questionable.

The NFL gave Green Bay a one-week roster exemption for Jacobs. Technically, he is not on the 53-man roster right now. The Packers will have to activate him if they want him on the field against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. In theory, they could leave Jacobs on the exemption spot for this week, and he would not count against the roster.

Eventually, though, the decisions will come. As soon as Green Bay activates Jacobs, it will carry four running backs on the 53-man roster (MarShawn Lloyd, Pierre Strong Jr., and Kaleb Johnson are the other ones).

A crowded backfield will eventually demand action

Four running backs on the 53 is not unusual. Players like Pierre Strong also contribute on special teams, and that versatility justifies carrying an extra back.

The real squeeze comes when Chris Brooks returns from injured reserve. Brooks has missed two games on IR with an ankle issue, so he will have to miss at least two more. Whenever he is ready, the Packers will most likely remove someone from the roster to make room.

MarShawn Lloyd is the most logical candidate in terms of performance. He is probably the weakest of the running backs, even though he has played a lot this season because the Packers trusted him as a former third-round draft pick.

Kaleb Johnson could also be the odd man out, even though Green Bay traded for him. Since his fumble against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson has been essentially a non-factor in the running game, and he has barely played offensive snaps over the past two weeks. In terms of usage, playing time, and carries, he is the clear last option.

Pierre Strong offers an alternative path

Pierre Strong Jr. opens up a creative possibility. The Packers could release him from the 53-man roster and immediately sign him back to the practice squad. As a vested veteran, Strong would not go through waivers.

The key detail is his elevation count. Strong started the season on the practice squad, but Green Bay never elevated him for a game this season. The team promoted him directly to the 53-man roster instead. As a consequence, Strong still has all three of his regular season elevations available.

By moving him back to the practice squad, the Packers could call Strong up to the gameday roster three times. Meanwhile, Johnson or Lloyd could be a healthy scratch for those games. Green Bay would keep Strong available on Sundays while protecting both younger backs from being claimed on waivers.

Weighing the cost

Nonetheless, there are two major questions with that approach. First, Strong would have to agree to it. As a veteran, he could look for a role on an active roster elsewhere if the Packers release him.

Second, it is fair to ask whether Lloyd and Johnson are worth protecting at all. Lloyd especially has received plenty of opportunities and has not taken advantage of them, mostly because of his lack of vision. Burning a 53-man roster spot on him might not make sense if keeping Strong is simpler.

The veteran is playing at a much higher level right now. He contributes in the running game, and he gives the offense a reliable third-down receiving option. Additionally, Strong also helps on special teams. At this point, he is clearly a better running back than Lloyd.

Future contracts matter

The final call will likely come down to how the Packers view the future. Lloyd will be in the last year of his contract in 2027. Johnson is in the second year of his rookie deal, which Green Bay acquired in the trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which means he is under contract through 2028.

There is also a realistic scenario where the Packers release Lloyd and he clears waivers. At that point, Green Bay could bring him back to the practice squad if it wants to keep him around.

With Jacobs coming back and Brooks eventually returning, one of the backs currently on the roster will be cut from the 53. That is the roster calculus general manager Brian Gutekunst will have to solve in the coming weeks.