Green Bay Packers fans have rounded on head coach Matt LaFleur after he described running back Josh Jacobs’ return to practice as “business as usual” – just a week since Jacobs was arrested on five domestic violence charges, including felony strangulation and suffocation.
Fan Outrage
Supporters reacted with fury on social media, with one branding the comment “absolutely disgusting” and another calling the coach’s phrasing “a very weird way to put this situation”. A Packers fan wrote: “I’m a Packer fan and this doesn’t seem right. And then for the coach to call it business as usual. Really bad form.” Others described LaFleur’s remark as “tone-deaf” and “crazy”, while one user went as far as to say: “Wow this team is disgusting.” The backlash reflects a broader sense of unease over how the organisation is handling the serious allegations against one of its star players.
The Allegations and 911 Calls
Jacobs, 28, turned himself in to police in Wisconsin on Tuesday 26 May after a domestic disturbance complaint at his home. He was booked into Brown County Jail on five charges: battery-domestic abuse, criminal damage to property-domestic abuse, disorderly conduct-domestic abuse, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. Under Wisconsin law, strangulation and suffocation is a Class H felony, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to six years. Battery and disorderly conduct can be charged as misdemeanours or felonies depending on the circumstances, and state law mandates arrest if officers have reasonable grounds to believe domestic abuse has occurred.
The urgency of the incident was laid bare in 911 dispatch audio obtained by Milwaukee’s TMJ4 News. One dispatcher reported hearing “yelling and screaming” and “things being thrown” on an open line from Jacobs’ home, adding: “Open Line. Possibly a male and female.” A follow-up call from a nearby resident added further weight: “The neighbour is calling now saying her neighbour [redacted] was assaulted,” the dispatcher said. Authorities were told Jacobs had left the scene in a Mercedes G-Wagon, and law enforcement tracked the vehicle using licence-plate readers. “Yeah, at this point we’ll want that vehicle stopped if you come across it,” another dispatcher was heard saying. Deputies and an ambulance eventually arrived at Jacobs’ home to meet with the unidentified victim.
Investigation and Release
Less than 24 hours after being booked, Jacobs was released from custody. The Brown County District Attorney’s Office stated they were “not prepared to make a formal charging decision” based on the current evidence and requested further investigation. The probe remains active and ongoing, with the DA’s office indicating that additional evidence may affect any future charging decisions.
Despite the unresolved investigation, Jacobs was free to return to the Packers’ practice facility on Tuesday, exactly a week after his brief time behind bars, and began his offseason workout programme ahead of next week’s mandatory minicamp.
Packers’ Response
LaFleur, after welcoming Jacobs back, told reporters that his presence had not been a distraction and described the running back’s involvement as “business as usual”. The Packers have issued a statement confirming they are aware of the matter but are withholding further comment while legal proceedings are ongoing. Quarterback Jordan Love acknowledged the situation, saying the team has “talked internally” out of respect for the legal process. “You know everyone knows what the situation is there,” Love said. “But obviously the details are… everyone is keeping the details under wraps right now out of respect for the situation and all the legal stuff that will be playing out, but it’s great to have Josh here with us and get back to work.”
Jacobs’ attorneys have vehemently denied the allegations, stating that crucial evidence has not yet been made public and asking for fairness. The NFL is understood to be aware of the case and is in contact with the Packers. Under the league’s Personal Conduct Policy, domestic violence carries a baseline six-game suspension for a first offense involving assault, battery, or domestic violence, with a second offense potentially resulting in a lifetime ban.
Jacobs, a three-time Pro Bowl running back who led the NFL in rushing yards in 2022, joined the Packers in 2024. He has a contract through the 2027 season, with two years and $25m remaining but no guaranteed money. In the 2025 season he recorded 929 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. His attorneys previously defended him in a 2021 case following a vehicle crash at a Las Vegas airport, which was resolved with community service and a fine.
