Green Bay, Wisconsin — The Green Bay Packers are experiencing one of the biggest shocks in recent years. Running back Josh Jacobs has been arrested on five serious criminal charges, facing the possibility of up to six years in prison.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning last week. Police received a disturbance complaint at a location in Brown County.
Josh Jacobs was arrested on Tuesday and booked into Brown County Jail. According to sources from Adam Schefter of ESPN, the case could lead to very serious consequences.
The charges include battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. Among them, strangulation and suffocation is classified as a Class H felony.
Under Wisconsin state law, a first-time strangulation offense carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison. If the court applies additional enhancers related to domestic violence, the actual sentence could change significantly.
Jacobs is 28 years old. He is currently one of the top running backs in the NFL.
He is in the prime of his career. In the 2025 season, he played 15 games, scored 13 touchdowns, and rushed for 929 yards, playing a major role in helping the Packers get off to a strong start before the team fell into a prolonged losing streak.
Jacobs’ legal team, led by attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, quickly issued a statement defending their client. They firmly declared that Jacobs is completely innocent and called for the legal process to be fair and objective.
The NFL has also gotten involved. The league stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and has been in direct contact with Packers leadership. Under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, Jacobs faces the risk of a lengthy suspension, possibly for the entire 2026 season.
Jacobs currently has two years remaining on his contract with the Packers. His absence would be a major blow to the team’s offense, especially at a time when the Packers are already shorthanded with Micah Parsons still recovering from an ACL injury.
Throughout his career, Jacobs has been named an All-Pro multiple times. He has always been highly regarded for his competitive spirit and professional attitude.
This is the first time Jacobs has faced serious legal trouble. Many Packers fans have expressed shock and concern over the news.
According to legal experts, most similar cases in Wisconsin typically result in sentences ranging from one to five years in prison if a conviction occurs. However, the case is still in the early stages of investigation.
“This is an injustice. I have never harmed anyone and I am certain that the truth will come to light. I hope the fans will stay calm and trust in me while I am facing this situation.”
Jacobs’ future with the Packers at Lambeau Field is now highly uncertain. The team has not issued a detailed comment beyond confirming cooperation with the NFL.
This situation once again shows that even superstar athletes must be held accountable under the law like any other citizen. ESPN will continue to provide the latest updates on the Josh Jacobs case.
