Packers mixing things up by going ‘running back by committee’

The Green Bay Packers are in an intriguing situation this offseason possessing a plethora of talent in the backfield.

According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, head coach Mike McCarthy has voiced that the team will go with a running-by-committee approach with the running game with hopes of garnering similar success with the New Orleans Saints had last season.

“The fact of the matter is we’re going to go running back by committee,” he said during an interview at the conclusion of the offseason program. “But if one of them would emerge as that full-time guy then you have to have that ability to … adjust to that. As far as planning and going into the season, that’s why we’re going about it that way. We feel like we’ve got three guys that have all done it, but they haven’t done it over a long period of time, so I think it’s just practical thinking from that position and realizing that it’s a very demanding position.”

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New Orleans were able to excel behind their dynamic Pro Bowl duo of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara leading the charge for the offense. In fact, they became the first running back teammates in NFL history to each notch at least 1,500 scrimmage yards in the same season.

The Packers have a packed backfield that features a strong trio of options with Ty Montgomery, Aaron Jones, and Jamaal Williams. Each of these running backs proved to be effective options when given the opportunity to be the starter. Montgomery has shown flashes of potential as a running back after making the transition from wide receiver.

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Meanwhile, both Jones and Williams had their fair shot in the second half of last season to shine with Montgomery out due to injuries. Each posted career-best campaigns last year with Jamaal Williams recording career highs of 556 rushing yards and four touchdowns along with 25 receptions for 262 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Jones had 448 rushing yards with four touchdowns.

Ultimately, only time will tell if this approach in the backfield will be an effective game plan for the Packers next season.