The 2024 National Football League season is just days away, and the Green Bay Packers are under plenty of strain as usual.
After a surprise playoff bid in 2023 in which the Packers rallied from a 3-6 start, Green Bay will surprise no one in 2024. They took down the Dallas Cowboys on the road in the playoffs a year ago, and very nearly defeated the eventual NFC champion San Francisco 49ers.Heading into the new season, the Packers have a young, dynamic offense under second-year starting quarterback Jordan Love. But after their depth took a knock due to an unforeseen injury, the Packers may have space for one more veteran.
Running back AJ Dillon was placed on season-ending injured reserve last week with a neck issue, the same stinger that ended his 2023 season. That left the running back room in doubt, and the Packers may feel the need to rectify that in the coming weeks.
On Monday, Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department stated that the Packers should add free-agent running back Latavius Murray to address the running back dilemma.
“The Packers might want to explore bringing in another veteran running back behind Josh Jacobs,” the authors said. “While Murray’s best years are behind him, the 34-year-old can be a productive backup after racking up 419 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns for the Bills last season.”
Murray, 34, is a 10-year NFL veteran, who has played for six teams and piled up over 6,500 career rushing yards. He earned a Pro Bowl in 2015, his second season, with the Oakland Raiders.
Last season, Murray played in 16 games for the Buffalo Bills, collecting 300 running yards and 119 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. He started three games for Buffalo, but eventually surrendered way to James Cook in the Bills’ backfield.
Though the Packers anticipate to have Jacobs managing the bulk of their workload, they don’t necessarily know who will spell him when they need a change of pace. Third-round rookie MarShawn Lloyd has been injured for most of camp, and Emanuel Wilson has 14 career carries.
Having a steady hand like Murray could be just what Love and this offense need to put them over the top. But, of course, the Packers front management still has to agree with such a proposal.
