Locals in the NFL: Former BYU RB Chris Brooks back on Packers’ roster with new 2-year deal

AROUND THE SHIELD — After initially looking for a team that would take him, former BYU running back Chris Brooks has found a home in northeastern Wisconsin.

Brooks was one of two former Utah college football players that made the initial 53-man roster for the Green Bay Packers, the team announced Sunday evening. He’s one of 54 former Utah locals in the NFL who made the initial cuts to end the 2026 NFL preseason.

One of two running backs named to the roster, with another pending a physical and Josh Jacobs added to the commissioner exempt list after he was charged with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal charge to property stemming from an alleged altercation at his home May 23, Brooks provides a veteran option alongside former third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd in the Packers’ back field.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday that Jacobs’ initial court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 17, though that’s not necessarily an indication that the NFL will wait as long to carry out its own disciplinary process.

But with the Packers opening the regular season Sunday, Sept. 13 against division rival Minnesota (2:25 p.m. MT, CBS), Brooks has rocketed toward the top of Green Bay’s running back room with 34-straight games of experience since signing with the Packers’ 53-man roster in 2024.

Brooks returned to Packers training camp three weeks ago after initially appearing on the non-football injury (NFI) list with “a little something” to his hamstring, he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He ran for 12 yards on five carries in 15 offensive snaps in Green Bay’s second preseason game, a 33-13 win over the Broncos, before sitting the 42-38 preseason victory over Arizona.

After the restricted free agent agreed to a new contract with the Packers through the 2027 season, a deal that his agency One West Sports Group told told Reuters was for $4.85 million over two years, the 26-year-old tailback who played at Cal before finishing his collegiate career with the Cougars is happen to find stability in the league.

“I love it here,” he said. “I love being a G; I think as far as being a component of this team, it means a lot to me. I’m going to give this organization and this team all that I’ve got. My brothers know that I’ll die for them on that field.”

RB3 Chris Brooks is off the NFI list pic.twitter.com/ceday5xWZY

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 9, 2026

Initially an undrafted free agent, the fourth-year running back is entering his third season with the Packers, the team that took a chance on him after showing flashes in nine games of his rookie season in Miami.

Brooks played in all 17 games last season with Green Bay, running for 106 yards on 27 carries and adding 91 yards on 13 catches while also playing special teams.

See the full list of all 54 former Utah high school and college football players who made an initial 53-man roster with one of the NFL’s 32 franchises on KSL.com.