Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Packers want RB Eddie Lacy to lose 30 pounds for the 2016 season.
According to Rapoport, Lacy is committed to dropping the weight through training camp or with aย fitness program.
Getting Lacy in better shape is reportedly part of the Packers’ plan to return to dominance. Sources inside the Packers’ organization referred to the 2015 season asย one ofย the most difficult seasons in years for them, per Rapoport.
Jason Cole of B/Rย reported a few weeks ago that Lacyย looked sluggish during his career best 61-yard run against the Cardinalsย andย looked slow overall while lacking power throughout the game.
Cole mentions that Green Bay was hoping that Lacy was going to take the next step and become an elite running back in 2015. However, he showed up out of shape and overweight during the offseason, and wasn’t able to get into playing shape during the year.
Packers HC Mike McCarthy made it clear during his end-of-season press conference that Lacy will need to focus on his conditioning in 2016.
“He’s got a lot of work to do,” McCarthy said. “His offseason last year was not good enough and he never recovered from it. He cannot play at the weight he played at this year.”
Cole believes Lacy’s future with the Packers could ultimately be in question if he doesn’t address these concerns next year.
Lacy, 25, will have plenty to play for in 2016 as he’ll be entering the final year of his four-year, $3.392 million rookie contractย that included aย $847,208 signing bonus.ย He’ll make a base salary $867,602 for the 2016 season.
In 2015, Lacy appeared inย 15 games and ran for 758 yards on 187 carries (4.1 YPC) to go along with 20 receptions for 188 yards receiving and five touchdowns.ย Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 15 running backย out of 68 qualifying players.
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