Josh Jacobs, the powerhouse running back for the Green Bay Packers, has carved a remarkable path in the NFL. His journey from a challenging childhood to becoming one of the league's top earners is a testament to his resilience and talent. As of 2025, the 27-year-old athlete's financial and professional standing reflects his success on the field, marked by a major contract, significant career earnings, and personal investments.
Contract Details and Career Earnings with Raiders and Packers
Josh Jacobs' professional journey began when the Oakland Raiders selected him as the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. His rookie contract with the Raiders was valued at $11.93 million, including a substantial $6.69 million signing bonus. After playing for the franchise from 2019 to 2023, which included a one-year franchise tag worth $10.091 million in 2023, Jacobs entered free agency.
In a significant move in March 2024, Jacobs signed a lucrative four-year, $48 million contract with the Green Bay Packers. The deal for the 2024 season featured a $1.2 million base salary, a massive $12.5 million signing bonus, and a $600,000 workout bonus. According to Spotrac, his total career earnings in the NFL have reached an impressive $46 million. For the 2026 season, his cash total with the Packers is listed at $11.5 million.
Fines, Luxurious Assets, and Embracing Green Bay
Despite his on-field success, Jacobs' career has seen disciplinary actions. He has been fined three times for unnecessary roughness. In November 2023, he was fined $21,855 for impermissible helmet use against the New York Giants, followed by an identical fine a week later against the New York Jets. A more substantial fine of $45,020 came in September 2024 for a similar infraction against Tennessee Titans safety Quandre Diggs.
Off the field, Jacobs made headlines by selling his custom-built Las Vegas mansion for $4.7 million. This 'dream home' in the Augusta Canyon neighborhood featured three bedrooms, four bathrooms, a movie theatre, a six-car garage, and amenities like a lap pool and a half-basketball court. His move to Green Bay, however, has sparked a new chapter. In an appearance on The Jim Rome Show in April 2025, Jacobs expressed his affection for Wisconsin, stating the community is "loving and caring" and that he plans to keep his house there due to the peaceful environment, despite the cold weather.
The Shocking Backstory: From Adversity to NFL Stardom
Josh Jacobs' rise to fame is rooted in a difficult past. He grew up on the north side of Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his family facing severe financial hardship after his parents separated when he was eight. His father, Marty Jacobs, gained custody, but struggled to provide stable housing. The family often lived out of their car or moved between hotel rooms.
Jacobs, in a 2018 interview with ESPN, reflected on this period, saying he "normalized" the hardship. He believed this challenging upbringing became an advantage, fueling his relentless work ethic and preventing complacency. This gritty background shaped the determined player who excelled at the University of Alabama before becoming a first-round NFL draft pick and a cornerstone for the Green Bay Packers' offense.
