Josh Jacobs is one of the five most-used running backs in the NFL. As such, the Green Bay Packers would prefer that he takes it easy during the week so he is ready to go full-speed come Sunday.
The 26-year-old refuses to adhere to the wishes of his coaching staff.
Jacobs is accustomed to a heavy workload. He averaged 20.6 touches per game during five seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. He is currently averaging 20.7 carries per game during his first season in Green Bay, which totals the fourth-most touches in the NFL this season at 248.
Head coach Matt LaFleur is new to this kind of usage from one single running back. He gave Aaron Jones 17.8 carries per game in 2019, but that was it.
Now five years later, Jones got 26 carries against San Francisco on Nov. 24 and 19 carries (with four catches) against Miami on Thanksgiving. The Packers will play again on Thursday night. It will be their third game in 12 days. They are going to rely on Josh Jacobs and their run game against one of the best defenses in the league.
With that in mind, LaFleur is trying to make sure that his best running back is at his most healthy— especially as the NFL season winds down and the playoffs start to emerge on the horizon.
He does a great job communicating with us where he’s at. I trust him in terms of, if he needs more that he’ll let us know and, if he needs less, he’ll also let us know. But we are mindful of just how many reps he’s getting throughout the course of thee week.
— Matt LaFleur
Although Jones understands his head coach’s thinking, he is not on fully board with the approach. In fact, he often defies his coaching staff to put in even more work than they would like— even on a short week.
They be getting on me because they be wanting me to take less reps. But I think it’s important for the guys to see me work. I think it’s important to get the reps. So, I practice.
— Josh Jacobs
The former first round pick’s logic is two-fold. On one side of the equation, he wants to set the expectation for his teammates as a leader. On the other, he wants to keep a routine.
I think for me it’s just what I’m used to. I’ve been doing it for so long. I feel like the running back room in general, we kind of set the tone for the team. Each day, regardless of it’s practice or a game, we try to come out and do that.
— Josh Jacobs
At the end of the day, both sides have a respectful working relationship. Matt LaFleur and his staff trust Josh Jacobs to do what he needs to do even though they would prefer that he takes more rest. Josh Jacob trusts that his coaching staff is looking out for him in the best way they know how. He just prefers to practice more often than they would like!