Matt LaFleur Defends Josh Jacobs After Running Back’s No-Contest Plea

Josh Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property.

Matt LaFleur Defends Josh Jacobs After Running Back’s No-Contest Plea

Josh Jacobs (Image via IMAGO)

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is showing support for Josh Jacobs. The Pro Bowl running back pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property. Even though he will not serve jail time, Jacobs is likely to miss games in 2026.

Jacobs’ attorneys, David Chesnoff, Richard Schonfeld and Clarence Duchac, set up an early hearing for his client’s case. On September 10, the 28-year-old appeared in a Wisconsin court for a follow-up on his domestic battery charge.

Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal property damage. Jacobs took full responsibility for his actions. The judge accepted the no-contest plea on five conditions. Jacobs cannot commit or be part of further criminal acts. He is prohibited from speaking with the victim. He has to stay under supervision. He must undergo counselling for a certain amount of time and pay restitution to the victim.

Jacobs accepted the terms. He will no longer have to serve jail time.

I know the guy, and I know the character of the guy. I’ve said it many times. Unfortunately, situations occur in life, and it’s just an unfortunate situation.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said in the Friday’s presser

The judge’s ruling should take Jacobs off the commissioner’s exempt list. However, he’s still likely to face suspension. When reporters asked LaFleur to elaborate further, he declined to comment.

I’m not going to get into any of this until the league completes their investigation.

LaFleur said

An NFL spokesperson shared the league’s position on the matter with ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.

We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter, which remains under review of the personal conduct policy. There is no change to his status as he remains on the Commissioner’s Exempt list.

Demovsky wrote

On May 26, the police in Brown County, Wisconsin, arrested Josh Jacobs. According to police and court records, on May 23, Jacobs attacked his girlfriend, and the attack was captured on CCTV.

However, the judge has sealed the video evidence to “safeguard” the defendant and the victim’s privacy, dignity, and safety.

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Matt LaFleur should be worried about the Packers’ run game if Josh Jacobs gets suspended

Jacobs is not out of danger just yet. He could still miss up to six games in 2026. They face the Vikings, Jets, Falcons, Cardinals, Broncos, and Steelers in that stretch.

Matt LaFleur Defends Josh Jacobs After Running Back’s No-Contest Plea
Josh Jacobs (Image via IMAGO)

If Jacobs doesn’t play, LaFleur has to turn to Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd, and Kaleb Johnson. Brooks, a former UDFA, has missed just two games in his two years in Green Bay, racking up 289 yards and one touchdown.

The Packers drafted Lloyd 88th overall in 2024. He spent the entire 2025 season on the injured reserve list. He was temporarily activated before the playoffs but did not play.

Kaleb Johnson is the newest member on the roster. The Packers traded a 2028 sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire the former Iowa Hawkeye.

LaFleur and GM Brian Gutekunst can try their luck in free agency. Kareem Hunt and Joe Mixon are the two biggest names still without a team. Hunt spent last season on the Kansas City Chiefs while Mixon started for the Houston Texans.

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