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Packers running back Josh Jacobs was named a bounce-back candidate for the 2024 season.

Domestic abuse allegations against Green Bay Packers starter Josh Jacobs, if true, paint an ugly picture of the running back, and the likely time and complications of sorting out Jacobs’ legal situation lend themselves to the franchise pursuing a backup plan immediately.

The best option probably looks something like a player in his mid-to-late 20s and gettable in free agency on a one-year contract at a team-friendly price. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Najee Harris fits the bill exactly.

Harris rushed for north of 1,000 yards in each of his first four NFL seasons, but the Steelers chose to pursue his replacement through the draft rather than pay him on a multi-year contract. As a result, he joined the Los Angeles Chargers on a short-term deal in 2025.

Unfortunately for Harris, he tore his Achilles tendon in late September of last year and missed the rest of the campaign after appearing in just three games. There is no hard timeline for Harris’ return to action, though 9-12 months is a reasonable window for most players who suffer an Achilles injury, and he will hit the one-year mark in Week 2 of this season.

Najee Harris Represents Strong Talent-Value Equation for Packers in Free Agency

GettyFormer Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris.

Harris carried the football just 15 times for 61 yards prior to his injury last year, so essentially all of his production came during his first four campaigns in Pittsburgh.

While with the Steelers, Harris tallied 4,312 rushing yards and 28 TDs on the ground, running at a clip of 3.9 yards per attempt. He also caught 180 passes for 1,149 yards and six scores.

The former No. 24 overall pick out of Alabama inked a $13 million rookie deal, followed by a $5.25 million contract with the Chargers last year. Due to his recent injury and lack of production, Harris’ market value projection is just $2.95 million in 2026.

As such, he represents a low-risk flier for the Packers and a backup plan worth securing sooner than later. Even if Jacobs ends up starting in Green Bay Week 1, the team can justify less than $3 million for a player in Harris with a solid track record and something to prove in 2026.

Packers Have No Viable Starting Running Backs on Roster Behind Josh Jacobs

Behind Jacobs on the roster is third-year running back Marshawn Lloyd, a third-round pick who has appeared in one game across two seasons due to persistent injury issues.

Another is undrafted free agent Chris Brooks, a 26-year-old with three seasons of experience under his belt, though zero starts and just 395 career rushing yards.

Fourth on the depth chart as of late May is Pierre Strong Jr. He actually has the most experience of any of the Packers’ RBs behind Jacobs, with two career starts and 99 carries for 499 yards and two touchdowns.

It is clear that if Jacobs is unavailable, Green Bay needs an upgrade to field a viable rushing attack alongside quarterback Jordan Love and a handful of talented pass-catchers in the wide receiver and tight end rooms.

And while other options exist, Harris should come cheap and with a chip on his shoulder. Beyond that, he isn’t a player for whom the Packers would have to trade, so no draft capital would go out the door as a means to his acquisition.