The Green Bay Packers weren’t able to nab a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft. The team has several running backs on their offseason roster, but they are unproven commodities. With that in mind, SI on Packers’ Bill Huber named a veteran at the position the team should keep tabs on throughout the summer — Antonio Gibson.
Huber included Gibson on a list of five free agents who could “push the Packers over the top” during the 2026 campaign.
“Antonio Gibson, who will turn 28 in June, is coming off a torn ACL sustained in early October, which should put him on a trajectory to be ready for training camp,” wrote Huber. “By the time he is healthy, Gutekunst should have a better feel for his backfield.
“Gibson rushed for 1,027 yards in 2021 and caught 195 passes during his first five seasons. At 6-foot and 228 pounds, he fits what Green Bay likes in the backfield.”
As Huber noted, the 27-year-old running back gained more than 1,000 yards on the ground in 2021. He posted a career-best 1,331 yards from scrimmage during that campaign.
A dual-threat out of the backfield, Gibson has 197 catches, 1,495 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns in 83 NFL games.
Last season, Gibson played five games before suffering his serious knee injury. He had 106 rushing yards and two receptions for six yards. Gibson also scored a touchdown while playing for the New England Patriots.
What Packers Could Get By Signing RB Antonio Gibson
There’s some level of risk in signing a running back turning 28 years old coming off an ACL tear. But if the contract is the right amount, which it’s likely to be with Gibson, the risk could be minimal.
The reward if Gibson bounced back from injury, though, may be great.
The season prior to his knee injury, Gibson posted 538 rushing yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He also had 23 catches for 206 yards.
In four of his first five NFL seasons, the veteran running back eclipsed the 500-yard mark. He also had at least 35 catches in his first four campaigns.
That’s the kind of production the Packers might desire in their running back room depending on how offseason workouts go at the position. Green Bay lost backup running back Emanuel Wilson to NFL free agency this offseason.
Wilson gained between 496-502 rushing yards in both 2024 and 2025.
Packers RB Depth After 2026 NFL Draft
Fortunately, starter Josh Jacobs has been very reliable for Green Bay the past two seasons. He’s played in all but two regular season games and rushed for 2,258 yards.
That puts less pressure on the Packers to have a great backup running back.
Still, Green Bay is one serious injury away to Jacobs from being in a position where they would test their unproven running back depth.
With Wilson no longer on the roster, a collection of several running backs could battle for the RB2 role in Green Bay this summer. Those running backs include Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd, Pierre Strong Jr. and Damien Martinez.
Jaden Nixon could be in the mix too. The Packers added Nixon in undrafted free agency.
Another name to keep an eye on is Jacobs’s brother — Isaiah Jacobs. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Green Bay invited Isaiah, who played running back at UAB, to the team’s rookie minicamp for a try out.
With Gibson still recovering from his ACL injury, the Packers don’t have to add him immediately. They could see how their running back depth looks in offseason workouts and even early in training camp.
If concerns emerge about the group, though, Green Bay should strongly consider signing Gibson.
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