Packers' New $48 Million Star Predicted to Be Overtaken by Rookie for Starting Job

The Green Bay Packers made a significant offseason move by signing former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs to enhance their backfield.

However, Jacobs could find himself battling rookie MarShawn Lloyd for the starting job before the end of the season.

ESPN analytics expert Seth Walder boldly predicted that Lloyd, a third-round pick out of USC, will take over as Green Bay's feature back before the season is over.

“MarShawn Lloyd will take over the No. 1 running back role by the end of the season,” Walder wrote. “Free agent signee Josh Jacobs was very effective in 2022 but recorded negative rush yards over expectation (per NFL Next Gen Stats) in 2020, 2021 and 2023. Last season, his RYOE total was minus-86. I’m willing to bet that 2022 was Jacobs’ outlier and that the Packers will prefer Lloyd as their featured back by December.”

Jacobs signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers this offseason, replacing long-time Green Bay back Aaron Jones. His deal has just $12.5 million of guaranteed money, which came in the form of a signing bonus, and the Packers have a potential out in Year 2. If Jacobs disappoints or Lloyd emerges as a true No. 1 back, it wouldn't be too painful for the Packers to cut ties with the former rushing leader.

However, the hope is that Jacobs can look like the back he was in 2022 when he led the NFL in rushing. He racked up 1,653 yards on 340 carries and found the end zone 12 times during the All-Pro campaign.

There's reason to be excited about Lloyd. He notched 820 yards and nine touchdowns last season at USC, averaging a whopping 7.1 yards per carry.

The Packers open the regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday.

Related: Cowboys Land Texans RB in Proposed Trade to Bolster Depth Behind Ezekiel Elliott