The Green Bay Packers signed two major free agents this offseason in Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney. Through the first half of the season, both of these moves by GM Brian Gutekunst have worked out extremely well. In fact, both members of the Packers 2024 free agent class have been a big help to the team. Here is a look at the contributions of this year’s free agent class at midseason.
Packers 2024 Free Agent Class Has Been a Big Help to the Team: RB Josh Jacobs
The Packers signed Jacobs on the first day of free agency after they decided to part ways with Aaron Jones. Jacobs had the difficult task of replacing Jones’ production on the field and his leadership in the locker room. Thus far, he has done a great job in both areas.
The former Alabama star is off to a strong start. In the first nine games of the season, Jacobs has gained 762 yards on 158 carries and three touchdowns. That gives him a healthy average of 4.8 yards per carry. He has also caught 19 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. That puts him on pace to gain more than 1,400 yards for the season.
The most notable difference between Jacobs and Jones is Jacobs is larger and can carry the ball more frequently. Twice already, Jacobs has run the ball more 25 times in a game including a season-high 32 carries in the team’s Week 2 win over the Colts.
Another contrast comes in running style. Jones was more of a one-cut runner who excelled at using his speed to get to the edge. Jacobs does his best work between the tackles where he picks up extra yards by making defenders miss in close quarters.
The Coaching Staff Appreciates Jacobs
The Packers coaching staff appreciates what Jacobs brings to the table. “He’s awesome. He’s a great leader, a great teammate, just a great example for everybody,” head coach Matt LaFleur said when asked about Jacobs after the Packers win over Houston. Then he said,“he’s totally selfless in what he does. He’s been a great addition to our locker room.”
It didn’t take long for offensive coordinator, Adam Stenavich, to appreciate what Jacobs brought to the offense. “He’s got a great attitude,” said Stenavich. “You can tell he’s not a super loud, vocal guy. He’s just a really focused kid. Really intent. Really dialed in. He’s got a good intensity about him that I really like, and you can tell he’s hungry. He likes it here. He’s hungry, and he wants to win.”
If he continues on his current pace, Jacobs will finish this season with the third-highest single season rushing total in franchise history. Remember, running the football becomes more important as the weather gets colder in Green Bay in November and December.
Packers 2024 Free Agent Class Has Been a Big Help to the Team: S Xavier McKinney
Gutekunst signed McKinney to help upgrade the Packers safety room. Safety has been a weak point for the Packers over the last two seasons.
McKinney turned that around in a hurry. He has ball hawking skills that the team has lacked in recent years. In his first five games with the Packers, he intercepted one pass in each contest. Through the first nine games, he has six interceptions which ties him for the league lead. In 2023, the entire Packers team had only seven interceptions.
McKinney has made 42 total tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss. He has also recovered one fumble and broken up seven passes. He was also the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October.
Now, opposing teams are avoiding throwing deep to the area where McKinney lines up. When he and Jaire Alexander are both healthy and, in the lineup, the Packers have two defensive backs opposing quarterbacks will try to avoid.
Jeff Hafley Appreciates McKinney
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley had high praise for McKinney before the Packers most recent game against Detroit.
“He in my opinion is the best safety in the NFL,” Hafley told reporters. “And it’s starting to be seen by everybody. And I’m so proud of him and it doesn’t surprise me. The growth that he’s had, too, I mean, I can already see it. He’s become one of the best leaders on our team, he’s one of the best practice players on our team. He’s got an unbelievable attitude, he’s always studying.”
He also said the best may still be yet to come for the Alabama alum. “He’s young,” Hafley added.” I don’t even think we’ve seen close to how good this guy’s going to be. It’s just right now everybody’s starting to notice it because he’s got huge production.”
Through half a season, both of the Packers big ticket free agents have been important additions to the team. In fact, most experts selected Jacobs as the team’s offensive MVP in the first half of the season and McKinney as the defensive MVP.
The Packers hope both players will continue to excel in the second half of the season and beyond.
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