Eddie Lacy, born on June 2, 1990, was a highly touted running back who entered the National Football League (NFL) with significant promise after a stellar college career at the University of Alabama. Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Lacy burst onto the scene, showcasing a rare blend of power, agility, and surprising speed for his size.
His early success earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and a Pro Bowl selection, leading many to believe he was on the path to becoming one of the league’s premier running backs. However, his career trajectory was ultimately shaped by injuries and persistent concerns regarding his weight, leading to a relatively short but memorable stint in the NFL.
Collegiate Dominance at Alabama
Lacy’s football journey gained significant momentum during his time with the Alabama Crimson Tide under the legendary coach Nick Saban. Despite sharing the backfield with other talented running backs like Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson early in his career, Lacy’s potential was undeniable. By his junior season in 2012, he emerged as the team’s primary ball carrier, leading the Crimson Tide to a national championship.
In his final season at Alabama (2012), Lacy rushed for an impressive 1,322 yards and a staggering 19 touchdowns. His powerful running style, coupled with surprising agility and receiving ability, made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Throughout his college career, Lacy amassed 2,402 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns, contributing significantly to Alabama’s three BCS National Championship victories. His dominant performances solidified his status as one of the top running back prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft.
NFL Arrival and Immediate Impact with the Green Bay Packers (2013-2014)
The Green Bay Packers selected Eddie Lacy with the 61st overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, making him the fourth running back chosen that year. He quickly proved to be a valuable addition to the Packers’ offense. In his rookie season, Lacy set franchise rookie records for rushing yards (1,178) and rushing touchdowns (11), earning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and a Pro Bowl selection. His powerful runs, deceptive spin moves, and surprising agility made him a fan favorite in Green Bay and a force to be reckoned with for opposing defenses. He also added 257 receiving yards.
Lacy followed up his stellar rookie campaign with another 1,100+ yard season in 2014, rushing for 1,139 yards and nine touchdowns while also contributing 427 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. This consistent production solidified his role as the Packers’ bell-cow running back and further fueled expectations for a long and successful NFL career.
The Turning Point: Injuries and Weight Concerns (2015-2016)
The 2015 season marked a turning point in Lacy’s career. While he still managed to rush for a respectable 758 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games, his yards per carry dipped, and his overall impact seemed diminished. Concerns about his weight began to surface more prominently. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy publicly stated that Lacy needed to improve his conditioning in the offseason.
Heading into the 2016 season, Lacy reportedly worked to get in better shape, but injuries began to take a toll. He played in only five games, rushing for 360 yards before an ankle injury sidelined him for the majority of the year. This season proved to be his last with the Green Bay Packers.
Final NFL Stint with the Seattle Seahawks (2017)
In 2017, Eddie Lacy signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks. The contract reportedly included weight-based incentives, highlighting the ongoing concerns about his conditioning. However, Lacy struggled to find a significant role in a crowded Seahawks backfield, appearing in just nine games and rushing for a mere 179 yards. This would be his final season in the NFL.
Where is Eddie Lacy Now?
As of late April 2025, Eddie Lacy is considered retired from professional football. The 2017 season was his last NFL season. Recent news in October 2024, unfortunately, reported his arrest for alleged DUI in Arizona, an incident that garnered media attention and sparked discussions about the challenges former players can face after their playing careers.
FAQs
What were Eddie Lacy’s statistics and achievements during his NFL career?
Eddie Lacy played 5 seasons in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks. He had 857 carries for 3,614 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 107 passes for 947 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns. Lacy was selected to one Pro Bowl (after his rookie season in 2013) and won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2013. In his rookie season with the Packers, he set franchise rookie records for most rushing yards (1,178) and rushing touchdowns (11). He also had over 1,000 rushing yards in his second season (2014), becoming only the second Packer to achieve this in their first two NFL seasons.
What was a significant challenge Eddie Lacy faced during his NFL career?
A significant challenge Eddie Lacy faced throughout his NFL career was managing his weight. This became publicly discussed, especially after the 2015 season, when the Green Bay Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy publicly stated that Lacy “cannot play at the weight he played at this year” and that his offseason was “not good enough.” Lacy’s weight fluctuated, and it was reported that he weighed 267 pounds during a free-agent visit in 2017, significantly higher than his listed weight of 231 pounds coming out of college. His weight became a recurring topic in the media and among fans.
Did Eddie Lacy have any weight-related incentives in his contracts?
Yes, when Eddie Lacy signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2017, his contract included weight-related incentives. It was reported that $385,000 of his contract was tied to seven monthly weigh-ins. He had to meet specific weight targets throughout the offseason and regular season (255 pounds in May, 250 in June and August, and 245 for September through December) to earn bonuses of $55,000 per successful weigh-in. He reportedly earned bonuses for meeting weight targets in May and June 2017.
In summary
Eddie Lacy’s NFL career was a captivating yet ultimately cautionary tale. His immense talent and powerful running style were evident from the moment he stepped onto the field for the Green Bay Packers. His Offensive Rookie of the Year season and Pro Bowl selection hinted at a potentially dominant career. However, injuries and persistent weight concerns derailed his trajectory, leading to an earlier-than-expected departure from the league.
While his time in the NFL may have been shorter than many anticipated, the highlight-reel runs and the memories of “Feast Mode” will undoubtedly linger in the minds of Packers fans and NFL enthusiasts. The recent news of his DUI arrest serves as a reminder of the challenges that can face athletes after their playing days are over.
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