One plausible option is James Conner, a two-time Pro Bowler most recently with the Arizona Cardinals. Conner is entering the season likely to begin as the third option on his current team, assuming rookie Jeremiah Love makes a healthy start after an ankle sprain in the preseason. Analysts have suggested that Conner could end up contributing for another team in 2026, with the Packers among the teams discussed as a potential landing spot should Jacobs’ legal situation complicate his availability.
Conner, who has one year left on his contract, would come at a modest cost—roughly $2.5 million against the salary cap. He battled a foot injury last season, appearing in only three games, but he has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in both 2023 and 2024. He would be 31 at the start of the upcoming season.
Jacobs’ immediate playing future is clouded by the ongoing legal process. While the charges involve alleged violence against a female person, the league’s personal conduct policy has increasingly emphasized discipline in cases with domestic-violence-like elements, even when explicit domestic-violence charges are not filed. It remains unlikely there will be a swift criminal resolution before Week 1, which would place Green Bay on alert about how to structure its backfield.
If Jacobs is sidelined or suspended, Green Bay would face questions about who steps up behind him. Current depth includes MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and Pierre Strong Jr. Strong has shown explosiveness and has value as a returner, averaging 5.0 yards per carry over his career, but he has not proven himself a clear-cut starter. Brooks has yet to establish himself as a true RB1, and Lloyd has dealt with injuries, appearing in only one game so far in his professional career. Given these variables, adding a proven veteran like Conner would provide stability and experience for the early portion of the season, especially as the team navigates Jacobs’ status.
Conner would cost roughly $2.5 million on the cap and could potentially be acquired with minimal draft capital if the Cardinals were willing to part with him. The move would make sense for Green Bay as they assess Jacobs’ availability and the health and development trajectory of their current depth chart.
In summary, the Packers face a pivotal period as they determine how to manage the backfield in light of Jacobs’ legal situation. While the team currently has capable options, adding a veteran like James Conner would provide a reliable, productive option to anchor the running game, should Jacobs’ status remain uncertain as the season approaches.
