Green Bay Packers Should Reach Out to 1st Swagg Kazekage, AKA Jamaal Williams

The Green Bay Packers could continue to roll with what they've got at running back, but, frankly, it has been ineffective.

MarShawn Lloyd was never supposed to be the lead back in Green Bay. He was specifically drafted out of USC to be a change-of-pace back with the idea that he could offer a different look to defenses when Josh Jacobs needed to come out of the game.

Jacobs, of course, hasn't played yet this season as he currently sits on the commissioner's exempt list for his role in an alleged domestic dispute in the spring of 2026. 

Lloyd has been asked to tote the rock a lot more than originally anticipated. He's taken 30 carries for just 81 yards, which is not good enough.

Behind Lloyd it's not much better. The Packers traded for Kaleb Johnson before the season began, and he's carried the ball 20 times for just 80 yards. He also had a costly fumble inside the five-yard line last weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Chris Brooks is known more for his ability as a pass-blocker than anything. He's rushed 15 times for 70 yards.

Altogether, that's 75 rushes for 231 total yards through four games. That trio is averaging just three yards per carry.

To be fair to the law firm of of Lloyd, Johnson and Brooks, the offensive line in front of them has been terrible. It's hard to have a sustained running game when defenders are consistently in the backfield.

Some blame does rest on the running backs themselves, though. They just haven't been good enough.

At this point, could it be worth looking for some outside help, at least until Jacobs' situation becomes clearer?

A former friend, running back Jamaal Williams, just worked out with the New England Patriots, and reports suggest that he's looking very good.

Williams hasn't played since the 2024 season when he was with the New Orleans Saints and even then, he rushed just 48 times for 164 yards and a touchdown.

That makes it seem like he's not all that much better than what the Packers have right now, and that may be true, but at this point, general manager Brian Gutekunst would be stupid to not turn over every rock to see if he can find anything, or anyone, to help this 2-2 team out.

If anything, Williams is an instant vibes boost for this team, and the Packers could absolutely use a vibes boost. The man who once announced himself to the world as "1st Swagg Kazekage", a nickname he gave himself based on his favorite anime, would bring an instant infusion of energy into the Packers' locker room.

If he's really looking good and can bring that energy to the backfield, that would be even better.

Williams was selected by the Packers with the 134th pick (fourth round) of the 2017 NFL Draft. In four seasons in Green Bay, he rushed 500 times for 1,985 yards and 10 touchdowns, largely as a RB2.

The Detroit Lions signed him in 2021 and in 2022 they gave him a lead back role. He responded by rushing 1,066 yards and 17 touchdows.

In eight total seasons, the former BYU Cougar rushed 1,069 times for 4,122 yard sand 32 career touchdowns.