The Green Bay Packers are facing a familiar problem: who will carry the load when Josh Jacobs needs a breather? For the past few seasons, Emanuel Wilson was the perfect answer—a reliable No. 2 back who gave the Packers' offense a steady punch off the bench. But with Wilson now in Seattle, the depth chart behind Jacobs looks thin, and that's a real concern for a team that has seen Jacobs miss games in two of the last three years.
As it stands, the Packers' backup options include unproven talents like Chris Brooks and MarShawn Lloyd, along with veteran Pierre Strong. It's a group that doesn't inspire much confidence, especially when the stakes are high in a competitive NFC North. That's why one analyst is calling for a bold move: signing four-time 1,000-yard rusher Najee Harris.
Harris, who turned 28 in March, is coming off a challenging 2025 season with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he played just three games before a torn Achilles ended his year. Before that, he was a workhorse in Pittsburgh, topping 1,000 rushing yards in each of his four seasons with the Steelers. Now, after posting workout videos that show he's healthy and ready for 2026, Harris could be a bargain pickup for a Packers team that loves a good value deal.
Why would this work? Harris isn't just a between-the-tackles grinder. He's also a capable pass-catcher and a solid blocker, making him a versatile fit for Green Bay's offense. And if Jacobs goes down again, Harris has proven he can handle a heavy workload. The best part? His recent injury likely means he'll come cheap—exactly the kind of move the Packers love to make.
For a team that prides itself on depth and smart roster building, adding a proven veteran like Harris could be the missing piece in the backfield. It's a low-risk, high-reward play that keeps the Packers' ground game dangerous no matter who's carrying the ball.
