GREEN BAY, Wis. — Now that they’re officially signed with the Green Bay Packers from free agency, running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney made their first public comments to the media Friday morning in Green Bay.
Jacobs said that Jordan Love helped attract him to the Packers.
“I was telling people, we were scouting from when we played them last year,” said Jacobs. “I seen him make some throws a lot of people can’t do, running backwards on one foot and slinging it on the dime. That kind of got me excited, the way he threw the ball effortlessly.”
In the fans’ eyes, Jacobs is replacing the popular Aaron Jones. He doesn’t look at it that way.
“I know Aaron,” said Jacobs. “I already know what kind of guy he is. I’ll say great dude, man. And he’s a legend around here, just from what he’s done in his time that he’s been here. I don’t really consider myself coming in and replacing what he’s done. I’ll just try to hold that standard.”
Jacobs is focused on being the best running back he can be.
“I think that everything comes full circle,” said Jacobs when asked if he thought running backs were valued in the NFL. “In a cycle. So, right now, it might be a little rough. But I think that everything changes. You kind of see what’s going on with running backs, going on with safeties right now. I just think that is something to take its course. You can help yourself out by playing good and make yourself more available. The more you can do, the better position to be.”
Safety Xavier McKinney disputed the notion that he faces pressure in coming to the Packers.
“I don’t think it’s pressure,” said McKinney. “I’m here to perfect my craft, so I don’t really feel any pressure, ever. I just try to go out there and play my best and compete. I’m trying to win at the end of the day. I know what that takes to be able to to win games and win championships.”
McKinney said he learned a lot from his college coach Nick Saban at Alabama, where his teammates included Josh Jacobs.