Kaleb Johnson is on the move, and the Green Bay Packers’ latest running back addition has NFL fans wondering what it means for Josh Jacobs.
The Packers are completing a trade for Johnson with the Pittsburgh Steelers during final roster cutdowns, according to Tom Pelissero. The 23-year-old RB was a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft but had a quiet rookie season in Pittsburgh.
Packers Eye Josh Jacobs Insurance in Kaleb Johnson
The move comes at an interesting time for Green Bay as Jacobs’ future remains uncertain following his recent criminal charges. The Packers RB was charged with misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property at his home in Brown County.
NFL fans quickly connected the dots after Green Bay landed Johnson. Podcast host Eli Berkovits said, “Kaleb Johnson to the #Packers. I did not see this coming. Have to imagine the Packers don’t expect to have Josh Jacobs for some, if not all of this season.”
Kaleb Johnson to the #Packers. I did not see this coming
Have to imagine the Packers don’t expect to have Josh Jacobs for some, if not all of this season. https://t.co/ldEX2OA51m
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) August 30, 2026
Another wrote, “Would have LOVED him in LV. Great move by Green Bay with Josh Jacobs situation in limbo.”
One more fan said, “Imagine this is in preparation for the league to suspend Jacobs.”
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One X user posted, “Was a big fan of Johnson coming out of Iowa, but it has not translated in the pros yet. With the questions with Jacobs up in Green Bay, this could be a real big move.”
Was a big fan of Johnson coming out of Iowa, but it has not translated in the pros yet. With the questions with Josh Jacobs up in Green Bay, this could be a real big move. https://t.co/EMyndQyOuo
— Logan McCrory (@logan_mccrory) August 30, 2026
“Josh Jacobs is cooked… Don’t like this at all tho,” said another.
Josh Jacobs is cooked…
Don’t like this at all tho https://t.co/8AxdqKt1Je
— King Kumar (@KingKumarspod) August 30, 2026
“Josh Jacobs To Jail Then I Guess,” predicted another.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur, however, recently made it clear that he still expects Jacobs to remain with the team. “I fully anticipate him being a member of our team,” LaFleur said Friday. “You’ve got to let everything play out.”
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After Johnson’s trade to the Packers, NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed that the “NFL is placing Packers RB Josh Jacobs on the commissioner exempt list.”
ESPN sources: NFL is placing Packers RB Josh Jacobs on the commissioner exempt list.
Last week Jacobs was charged with battery and criminal damage to property, both misdemeanors, by the Brown County (Wis.) district attorney.
Jacobs was originally arrested May 26 on five… pic.twitter.com/byznZrUkoO
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2026
It means that Jacobs will not be allowed to play or practice for the team until the league decides on his potential suspension. All signs are now pointing towards the star running back missing several games to start the season.
Jacobs was originally arrested in May on five charges, but the Brown County District Attorney ultimately filed two misdemeanor charges after a months-long investigation.
Jacobs has been a major part of the Packers’ offense since arriving in Green Bay. He rushed for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 before adding 929 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025.
He has 2,258 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns across his two seasons with the Packers. Jacobs had an impact score of 76.5 and ranked No.16 on PFN’s RB Impact Rankings last season.
With the Packers now bringing in Johnson, the pressure around Jacobs’ situation has only grown. Green Bay is expected to be without its starting running back to begin the season, but Johnson, along with MarShawn Lloyd, will try to keep the team afloat.
