Green Bay Packers OC wants rookie RB MarShawn Lloyd on field 'as much as possible'

The Green Bay Packers made some significant changes at running back this off-season. And MarShawn Lloyd may be the most interesting of them all.

With the Packers in the midst of rookie minicamp, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich is creating ways to get Lloyd on the field. Running back already is crowded with A.J. Dillion and newly signed Josh Jacobs. Green Bay then drafted Lloyd in the third round of last month’s NFL Draft. He was the fourth running back off the board and one of three to go in the third round.

“I would like to get him out there as much as possible,” Stenavich told reporters this week. “He’s got a skill set that’s a little bit different than AJ’s, as far as his speed… It’ll be nice to get him the ball in space and just see what he can do, ‘cause I think he’s gonna add a good explosive element to the offense, for sure.”

“I liked his speed. I liked his speed a lot,” Stenavich said of Lloyd. “He had some good runs in OTAs where you saw his burst. He’s got good vision, so I’m really excited about that out of the backfield.”

This wasn’t the draft year for the true elite backs. Jonathon Brooks, the former Texas Longhorn, was the first back off the board. His ACL tear back in November dropped him out of the first round conservation. That’s why the Panthers could land him 14 picks into the second round. Three backs, including Lloyd, were third rounders. Daniel Jeremiah, the top draft analyst for NFL Network, rated Lloyd as his top running back.

MarShawn Lloyd going through drills with RB coach Ben Sirmans. Lloyd, who wore No. 0 at USC, said yesterday:

“I was told that I could get, after the preseason, a different number. That was the first thing that was said to me. But I don’t really care. I just want to play.” pic.twitter.com/cpTh45dtMN

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) May 4, 2024

Packers were major player in running back FA market

Meanwhile, there were several big-name, experienced backs who switched teams with free agency. The Packers were major players in the running back market. They signed Josh Jacobs, the 2022 NFL rushing king, in free agency. And Green Bay also released fan favorite Aaron Jones. He signed with the Vikings, an NFC North foe. However, Dillon is still around Lambeau Field.

In this scenario, Jacobs is the starter. The Packers made him one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL. He signed a four-year deal worth $48 million. And he’s set to earn about $15 million in 2024.

“Josh is a phenomenal running back,” Stenavich said. “He’s been All-Pro a couple of times. He’s just one of those guys that’s good in all situations, good out of the backfield as a receiver, excellent runner. (And) he’s a good [pass] protector. So he’s one of those guys that you can really have in the game all the time and not have to worry about anything with him. So that’s nice.”

Overall, the Packers could be fielding one of the top offenses in the league. Jordan Love and the young receivers have excellent chemistry. And the running backs have talent.

“We know how good we can be,” says the Packers offensive coordinator. “But we need to understand that no one’s going to hand anything to us in this league. Everything must be earned. Just the (intentionality) of going out there every single day and working hard and working at your craft and being the best that you can be, that’s what’s going to take us back to the playoffs and get us as far as we can go.”