The Green Bay Packers are off to a 6-3 start this season after going 3-6 in the first nine games a year ago. The team is better in several areas this year, but the Packers have improved most in this area thus far this season over last.
The Packers Have Improved Most in This Area So Far This Season: Last Season
The running back room is very different in 2024 than it was a year ago. The team’s top running back was Aaron Jones. Jones was a mainstay for the Packers over the last five years and had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. When he was healthy, Jones was capable of taking over a game, but his lack of durability was an issue. Jones did finish the season with five straight games with 100-or-more rushing yards.
The primary change of pace back a year ago was A.J. Dillon. Because of the time Jones missed due to injuries, Dillon actually led the Packers in attempts but was second on the team in yards gained.
Emanuel Wilson served as the third back, playing in seven games. He showed promise in the preseason and played well when he was in the lineup.
Offseason Changes
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst surprised a lot of people with his offseason moves. Most fans expected the Packers to negotiate a lower salary with Jones and to keep him on the roster. Dillon’s contract was up, and most people expected him to be departing.
Instead, the Pack was unable to reach a new deal with Jones and the team parted ways with the popular running back. Dillon, meanwhile, agreed to return on a team-friendly deal using a rare, salary cap loophole.
To replace Jones, the Packers signed free agent Josh Jacobs. The former Raiders star provides the team with more size and durability. He is also three years younger than Jones.
Jacobs also had a different running style than Jones. Jones was a cutback runner who emphasized speed to the outside. Jacobs excelled more between the tackles. He is also capable of carrying the ball more frequently than Jones did.
The Packers also selected running back MarShawn Lloyd in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Lloyd was expected to give the Packers a speedy change of pace back with a different running style.
The Packers Have Improved Most in This Area So Far This Season: The Offensive Line
The Packers also made a change along the offensive line over the offseason. Starting right guard Jon Runyan was a solid pass protector but he struggled at run blocking. Last season, Runyan played through some injuries, so the Packers gave several series per game to his backup, Sean Rhyan.
Runyan became an unrestricted free agent and ended up signing with the New York Giants.
The Packers selected Jordan Morgan with their first-round pick in this year’s draft. Morgan played left tackle in college, but most scouts projected him as a guard in the NFL.
Morgan and Rhyan battled for the right guard spot in training camp. Morgan suffered injuries that hurt his chances of winning the job. Rhyan ultimately won the starting job with Morgan spelling him for a few series per game when he was healthy and available.
Rhyan is a better run blocker than Runyan was. An additional year of experience for left tackle Rasheed Walker also helped him improve a bit as a run blocker.
The Results in the First Half of the Season
Thus far, the running game has been much improved in 2024 despite the fact that Dillon suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason and Lloyd played just one game before being placed on IR with a designation to return.
Jacobs has been extremely effective running predominantly between the tackles. Through nine games, he has gained 762 yards on the ground. That puts him on pace to gain 1,439 yards over 17 games. That would be the third highest single-season total in franchise history.
Wilson has provided the team with a steady alternative while free agent addition Chris Brooks has been effective as the third back on the depth chart.
Head coach Matt LaFleur has used receivers like Jayden Reed and Bo Melton on end arounds and jet sweeps. Backup quarterback Malik Willis has also contributed to the running game when he’s been in the lineup.
As a team, the Packers rank fifth in the NFL in yards gained per game. The team is also averaging 5.0-yards per carry which is sixth in the league. Last season, the Packers were 15th in rushing yards per game.
Overall, the Packers running game has improved significantly over a year ago. As the weather gets colder in the second half of the season, they may play an even bigger role in the team’s potential success.
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