GREAT MOVE: Green Bay Packers Extend Star Running Back Through 2030, Making Him the Highest-Paid RB in NFL History

GREEN BAY 

The Green Bay Packers have made a franchise-defining statement — and they made it loud.

Green Bay officially announced a long-term extension with star running back Josh Jacobs, locking him in through the 2030 season in a record-setting deal that makes him the highest-paid running back in NFL history.

According to league sources, the contract is worth $108 million over five years, with $72 million guaranteed, surpassing every previous benchmark at the position. In an era where running backs are often viewed as replaceable, the Packers just rewrote the market.

General manager Brian Gutekunst made it clear this wasn’t just about numbers — it was about identity.

“Josh represents everything we want this offense to be — physical, resilient, and explosive,” Gutekunst said. “When you find a player who changes games and leads the locker room, you commit to him.”

Jacobs, 28, delivered another impactful campaign in 2025 despite battling minor injuries. He rushed for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns in 15 regular-season games while adding 36 receptions for 282 yards. More importantly, he remained the emotional engine of Green Bay’s offense — setting the tone in short-yardage situations and anchoring late-game drives.

The extension sends a powerful message across the league: Green Bay believes its championship window runs through Jacobs.

In recent years, NFL teams have hesitated to invest heavily at running back, citing positional wear and salary-cap flexibility. But the Packers bucked that trend. Internally, team leadership views Jacobs as foundational — not expendable.

“This is home,” Jacobs said in a brief statement. “We’ve built something here. I’m not done.”

The deal also reshapes Green Bay’s offseason strategy. With Jacobs secured long term, the Packers can now shift focus toward strengthening the defensive secondary and offensive line while maintaining offensive continuity.

Around the league, executives reacted quickly. Some called the deal bold. Others called it risky. But none questioned its clarity.

Green Bay chose certainty over caution.

In a business that often treats running backs as short-term assets, the Packers just declared that elite production, leadership, and culture still matter.

Josh Jacobs isn’t just staying in Green Bay.

He’s now the financial and competitive cornerstone of the franchise through 2030.