The Green Bay Packers will not release running back Josh Jacobs, coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Monday, despite a new release of domestic battery allegations surfacing just days after Jacobs made his season debut.
Jacobs was arrested in May and accused of attacking his then-girlfriend. Last Friday, police released records detailing three additional accusations from women alleging similar behavior from years prior. LaFleur told reporters the team will "let everything play out" and "continue to allow the NFL to go through its investigative process."
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from fans on social media, with many expressing anger and disappointment. "What did you expect from a classless organization?" wrote one user on X. Another commented, "So I’m gonna have to wait for the video of him beating a woman to come out for the team to take any action huh? fucking bulls***."
Jacobs' legal team issued a statement vehemently denying the new allegations, calling them "character assassination" and stating that their client possesses "a substantial body of tangible evidence to back up his assertions." The lawyers claim the police file contains only phone interviews taken years after the alleged events, with no further investigation and no opportunity for Jacobs to present his evidence. They also noted that one of the women had previously made a claim to the NFL, which the league reviewed and determined warranted no action.
In September, Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor counts of battery and criminal damage to property related to the May incident. He was fined $1,000 and court fees, and the criminal damage charge can be dismissed if he fulfills certain conditions for 12 months. The NFL is continuing its investigation into the May incident.
The newly released allegations stem from Jacobs' time with the Las Vegas Raiders, prior to his joining the Packers in 2024. Some claims involve allegations of violence when sexual advances were denied and the destruction of women's mobile phones. One woman alleged an incident in 2022 where Jacobs became violent after she refused sex, allegedly slapping her, spitting on her, tossing her phone into a pool, and throwing her onto a bed and the floor while threatening her life. Another accusation from April 2021 details Jacobs allegedly becoming violent during a sexual encounter when a condom broke. A third woman alleged that in 2022, Jacobs grabbed her by the hair and neck, dragged her, scratched her chest, and took her phone.
Jacobs missed the first six games of the season during the initial NFL investigation. Upon his return to the field, he celebrated a touchdown by appearing to mimic handcuffs. He later explained the gesture was inspired by a gospel song and was part of a planned sequence with teammate Savion Williams, intended to have religious significance.