The Green Bay Packers have a need at running back. With the new league year starting next week and franchise tags being handed out, we now know which free agent running backs will be available on the open market. Here is a look at five free agent running backs that could help the Packers in 2026. They are not listed in any particular order.
Josh Jacobs returns as the team’s starting running back. He gained more than 900 yards rushing last season despite missing two full games and parts of others due to injuries. He also received subpar blocking from his offensive line. Because of his age and his contract situation, 2026 will likely be his final season with the team.
The Packers did not tender 2025 RB2 Emanuel Wilson and he will be an unrestricted free agent when the new league year starts. The Packers did re-sign third string running back Chris Brooks to a two-year deal earlier this week. Former third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd will also be back, but he has played exactly one regular-season game in two NFL seasons and has seen his career disrupted by injuries.
Five Free Agent Running Backs Who Could Help the Packers in 2026, Number One: Tyler Allgeier
Tyler Allgeier gained 1,035 yards as a rookie in 2022 and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. He has not missed a game in his first four seasons in the league and has been a steady contributor for the Falcons, never gaining fewer than 514 yards in a season, which came last season. Allgeier also scored eight rushing touchdowns in 2025.
He lost playing time recently to Bijan Robinson who has taken over as the number one back. He could fit in well as a number two runner behind Jacobs and doesn’t have a lot of wear and tear on his body for a running back entering his fifth season.
Allgeier’s doesn’t bring much as a receiver out of the backfield. He has never made more than 18 receptions in any of his four NFL seasons.
Number Two: J.K. Dobbins
J.K. Dobbins has bounced around from the Ravens to the Chargers and finally the Broncos in 2025. The former Ohio State star has three seasons with at least 700 yards rushing but has yet to top 1,000 yards in a season.
He was off to a great start last season before suffering a Lisfranc injury that limited him to 10 games. He is expected to be ready for training camp after returning to practice late last year.
Like Jacobs, Dobbins does a good job of making tacklers miss. He’s an average receiver out of the backfield.
Five Free Agent Running Backs Who Could Help the Packers in 2026, Number Three: Rachaad White
Rachaad White would give the Packers an elusive back who has the skill set to make tacklers miss. He lost his starting job last season but still gained 572 yards rushing and averaged 4.3 yards per carry.
White remains a strong receiver out of the backfield. He caught 40 passes last season on 45 targets and that is the fewest passes he’s caught in a season in his four-year NFL career. His receiving ability could add another dimension to the Packers offense since he is a better receiver than Jacobs.
Number Four: Travis Etienne
Travis Etienne has gained more than 1,000 yards in three of his first four NFL seasons. He would be unlikely to want to join the Packers as a backup if he can find a place to start elsewhere. However, he could provide the Packers with a strong successor and change of pace to Jacobs if he’s willing to spend a year as a backup or change of pace back.
The former Clemson star would provide solid receiving skills. He caught 36 passes last year with six of them going for scores. His career high for one season is 58 catches in 2023.
Five Free Agent Running Backs Who Could Help the Packers in 2026, Number Five: Aaron Jones
Would the Packers be up for a reunion with Jones as a short-term backup to Jacobs? While the former Packers runner is getting older, as a change-of-pace back, he can give the Packers some productivity, a leader in the locker room and a runner with a different style than Jacobs.
Jones could also add receiving ability out of the backfield. As the number two back, he wouldn’t have to carry the load for the Packers which would suit him well at this stage of his career.
We’ll see if a reunion is possible, but the Packers certainly should explore this possibility on a one-year deal if Jones is interested.
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