Pierre Strong Jr. just torched the field with a 68-yard kickoff return and 4.6 yards per carry in last week’s preseason game against the Denver Broncos, putting a serious spotlight on the Green Bay backfield. This comes at a moment when Josh Jacobs, once a league-leading rusher, is facing assault charges with an alleged nasty video tape out there, creating a huge opportunity for the Packers to shake things up.
The Strong Show Is Sparking
Pierre Strong has always had serious burst, even if some doubted his size. Drafted by the Patriots in 2022 after a monster 1686-yard, 18-touchdown season at South Dakota State, Dane Brugler from The Beast saw his vision and speed. But yeah, he also flagged fumbling and those “small-ish hands.” After just his rookie year, he got dealt to the Browns. There, his carries jumped from 10 to 63, mostly as a passing downs specialist. He still cranked out a respectable 4.5 yards per carry and 8 yards per reception, showing off that elite agility and big play ability. And man, did we see it against the Broncos last week! Eight carries for 4.6 yards each, plus that insane 68-yard kickoff return. I’m telling you, Strong’s the real deal, even better than Marshawn Lloyd as that potential “lightning” to Josh Jacobs’ thunder. Lloyd’s a bigger dude, but Strong’s the better athlete, and despite being smaller, he’s actually been more durable. That’s huge for Green Bay.
The Josh Jacobs Problem Just Got Real
But let’s be real, the biggest storm brewing in Green Bay is all about Josh Jacobs. Coach Matt LaFleur might be a successful offensive genius, but I still think he runs the ball too much. Sure, back in 2024, when Jacobs was hitting 4.4 yards per carry and racking up 15 touchdowns, it was mostly fine. But since then? The Packers’ offensive line has totally tanked as a run-blocking unit. And seven years of physical punishment, especially for a workhorse back like Jacobs, takes its toll. We’re talking about a potential “fall off a cliff” scenario. The biggest bombshell, though, is Jacobs’ assault charge and that alleged nasty video tape out there. This isn’t just a concern, it’s a massive chance for the team to move on. Get an alleged abuser off the team, and redefine their backfield. Remember, this dude led the league with 1653 rushing yards in 2022, gaining 0.47 yards over expected per attempt on his robust 340 carries. That ranked him 11th, and only Cleveland’s Nick Chubb was even in the ballpark of the ten backs who ranked higher. He was elite, but that was then.
With the preseason finale on deck, all eyes are gonna be on Strong. Can he keep that electricity going and solidify his spot? And what are the Packers going to do about Jacobs? The stakes couldn’t be higher for Green Bay’s backfield right now. This isn’t just about winning a job; it’s about reshaping the team’s identity. Let’s see what happens next, because a big decision is coming for the green and gold.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Acme Packing Company.
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