On Tuesday, Green Bay Packers star running back Josh Jacobs was arrested on five domestic abuse charges, including a felony count of strangulation and suffocation.
NFL Analysts React After Packers RB Josh Jacobs Is Arrested
The NFL offseason is often relatively quiet during this period, as OTAs are getting underway and teams are beginning their prep for the upcoming season. Now, the Packers are dealing with a legal issue involving their star running back.
Jacobs was arrested on five charges: battery (domestic abuse), criminal damage to property (domestic abuse), disorderly conduct (domestic abuse), strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. The strangulation and suffocation charge is a felony; the other four are misdemeanors. He turned himself in to the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department in Wisconsin on Tuesday.
The arrest was a huge surprise to NFL analysts, who quickly reacted to the news.
“Oh my, these are extremely serious charges,” said NFL analyst Brett Kollmann.
Hobart-Lawrence Police Chief Michael Renkas confirmed the arrest in a statement: “This remains an active and ongoing investigation. No further information will be released at this time.”
This is obviously not a good look for Jacobs, and many people expressed their shock. It’s worth noting that Jacobs is denying all of the allegations.
“Good Lord,” said CBS Sports analyst JP Acosta.
Good Lord https://t.co/DuH5rU42jS
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) May 26, 2026
Packers senior writer Zach Jacobson chimed in as well, writing, “just unbelievably disappointing.”
Although Jacobs turned himself in on Tuesday, the complaint was filed Saturday at approximately 8:37 a.m., according to the police statement.
“Josh Jacobs’ saga, which has been ongoing since Saturday, results in five charges and major questions for Green Bay’s RB,” wrote NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Josh Jacobs’ saga, which has been ongoing since Saturday, results in five charges and major questions for Green Bay’s RB. https://t.co/NgaACQbYB1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 26, 2026
This brings up potential availability issues for Jacobs if the Packers RB is proven guilty and suspended by the NFL.
“An absolutely brutal look for Josh Jacobs and a potential nightmare scenario for the Packers,” said Packers writer Andy Herman. “Obviously the football comes secondary here but this is the last thing the Packers needed going into a key season. Just awful all the way around.”
The legal process must play out and while that is ongoing, the Packers didn’t say much about the matter, per Tom Pelissero.
“We are aware of the matter involving Josh Jacobs. As it is an ongoing legal situation, we will withhold further comment,” a Packers spokesperson told Pelissero.
From a Packers spokesperson: “We are aware of the matter involving Josh Jacobs. As it is an ongoing legal situation, we will withhold further comment.” https://t.co/ZbfvGW1e4F
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 26, 2026
The NFL also issued a statement to Pelissero, saying, “We are aware of the report and have been in contact with the club.”
In a statement from his attorneys, Jacobs said that he is innocent and that judgment should be withheld until the investigation concludes.
“Josh vehemently denies the allegations, and this matter is in the early stages of investigation with important evidence that has not yet been made public. We ask for fairness and restraint while the judicial process takes its course,” said Jacobs’ attorneys David Chesnoff, Richard Schonfeld, and Clarence Duchac in a joint statement.
Per Jacobs agent: Josh vehemently denies the allegations, and this matter is in the early stages of investigation with important evidence that has not yet been made public. We ask for fairness and restraint while the judicial process takes its course. https://t.co/fFKDcq9yl6
— Easton Butler (@Easton__Butler) May 26, 2026
Jacobs, 28, is in his third season with Green Bay and the team’s top returning rusher after running for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. He is the only player on the Packers roster who rushed for as much as 200 yards last season. Green Bay opened OTAs on Tuesday, and head coach Matt LaFleur is scheduled to address the media on Wednesday.
