RB Josh Jacobs Shocks NFL: Files Petition with Packers Board After Eagles Crown Saquon Barkley the Highest-Paid Running Back Ever

March 04, 2025 – Hold onto your helmets, NFL fans, because the offseason just ignited with drama hotter than a Lambeau Field tailgate in December. Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has dropped a bombshell, filing a formal petition with the team’s board of directors mere hours after the Philadelphia Eagles made Saquon Barkley the highest-paid running back in league history with a jaw-dropping new deal. This isn’t just a contract squabble—it’s a seismic statement from one of the game’s toughest runners, and it’s got the football world buzzing: Is the running back revolution finally here?

Barkley’s Throne: A Record-Breaking Deal

Picture this: Saquon Barkley, the Eagles’ human highlight reel, barreling through defenses all season long, leaving tacklers grasping at air and record books in tatters. On Tuesday, Philadelphia rewarded his historic 2024 campaign—where he bulldozed his way to 2,005 regular-season rushing yards and a Super Bowl LIX MVP trophy—with a two-year, $41.2 million extension, including $36 million guaranteed. That’s an eye-popping $20.6 million per year, vaulting him past Christian McCaffrey’s $19 million annual mark with the 49ers and cementing Barkley as the NFL’s richest running back ever.

The ink was barely dry on Barkley’s contract when the shockwaves hit Green Bay. Jacobs, the Packers’ own bruising backfield beast, watched from afar as his NFC rival claimed the crown he’d once held. And he didn’t just sit quietly—he acted.

Jacobs’ Bold Move: A Petition with Punch

Sources say Jacobs stormed into the Packers’ front office (figuratively, of course—though with his on-field tenacity, who’d bet against him?) and submitted a petition directly to the board of directors, bypassing the usual channels of agents and GMs. What’s he after? Word on the street is a contract tweak to reclaim his spot atop the running back pay pyramid—or at least match Barkley’s dazzling new benchmark. It’s a move as audacious as a fourth-and-goal plunge, and it’s got everyone from Cheeseheads to analysts asking: Does Jacobs have a case?

Let’s rewind the tape. In 2024, Jacobs was a one-man wrecking crew for Green Bay, racking up 1,329 rushing yards (sixth in the NFL) and 15 touchdowns behind an offensive line that often felt more like a suggestion than a wall. He signed a four-year, $48 million deal last offseason, averaging $12 million annually—a hefty sum, but now dwarfed by Barkley’s $20.6 million haul. After watching Barkley’s payday light up the league, Jacobs isn’t just knocking on the door for a raise—he’s kicking it down.

“Josh isn’t here to play second fiddle,” a source close to the Packers whispered. “He saw Saquon get the bag and said, ‘I’m next.’ This petition isn’t a tantrum—it’s a power play.”

The Running Back Renaissance: A New Era?

This isn’t just about two stars slugging it out for bragging rights—it’s a thunderclap for a position that’s been kicked to the curb in recent years. Running backs, once the kings of the gridiron, have seen their value plummet in a pass-obsessed NFL, with teams opting for cheaper, younger legs over proven studs. But Barkley’s deal and Jacobs’ defiance might just flip the script.

Think about it: Barkley’s 2,504 total rushing yards in 2024 (regular season plus playoffs) shattered records, while Jacobs’ relentless grind powered Green Bay to an 11-6 record and a playoff berth. These aren’t interchangeable parts—they’re game-changers. And Jacobs knows it. His petition isn’t just a personal crusade; it’s a rallying cry for every back who’s been told their prime doesn’t deserve a prime paycheck.

Packers’ Dilemma: Pay Up or Push Back?

Now, the ball’s in Green Bay’s court—and it’s a tricky handoff to manage. The Packers are already juggling a $55 million-per-year quarterback in Jordan Love and a roster stacked with young talent clamoring for extensions. Boosting Jacobs’ deal could bust their cap, but letting their star runner stew might fracture a locker room that’s tasted postseason glory and hungers for more.

“Josh is the heartbeat of this offense,” one teammate said off the record. “You don’t stiff a guy who leaves it all on the field like that.” Yet the board might see it differently—after all, Jacobs has three years left on his current contract. Why rewrite it now?

The Showdown Looms

As the NFL world waits for Green Bay’s next move, one thing’s clear: this is bigger than a paycheck. It’s Barkley vs. Jacobs, Eagles vs. Packers, and the old guard of running backs vs. a league that’s tried to leave them behind. Will Jacobs’ petition spark a domino effect, with stars like Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs demanding their due? Or will the Packers dig in, forcing Jacobs to run out his deal and prove his worth all over again?

For now, the gridiron’s toughest position just got a whole lot louder. Barkley’s sitting pretty in Philly, counting his millions, while Jacobs is charging full speed at the status