Reliving the Top Moments of James Starks’ Career with the Green Bay Packers

Every offseason the Green Bay Packers have to make the tough but necessary decision to cut a few veterans in order to make room for the new additions to come in the pending months. Last week was no different when Green Bay made the difficult choice to release a few of those veterans, including running back James Starks. During his seven years in Green Bay, Starks carried the football for over 2,500 yards and earned nine touchdowns.

In addition to the contributions he made from week-to-week, Starks played a role in the Packers Super Bowl XLV victory where he had 11 carries for 52 yards as a rookie. Starks hadn’t ever played in an NFL game until week 13 of that season and finished with 81 carries for 315 years. He was subsequently a steady option at running back behind Eddie Lacy in the years that followed.

However after struggling with injuries last season, it untimely seemed an appropriate time for the Packers to release Starks and begin to rebuild the backfield with guys like Ty Montgomery. Although it’s sad to see James Starks walk out of Green Bay, it was the right decision for the Packers.

As we say goodbye to James Starks, we’re counting down the top moments his career as a Green Bay Packer.

5. In 2014, the Packers took on the Falcons on a cold day in December. The win by Green Bay, which racked up a final score of 43-37, was solidified by Starks when he broke free for this 42-yard run with less than two minutes left on the clock.

4. Watching the Packers beat the Bears is always a good feeling but watching the Packers beat the Bears in an NFC championship game is even better. When Green Bay played Chicago in 2011 for the NFC title, James Starks graced us with this power touchdown.

3. James Starks may not have been the most versatile back for his entire career, but that didn’t stop him from catching a beautiful pass from Rodgers in a game against the Redskins last season. Starks finished off the catch with this wide-open touchdown. Although the Packers ended up losing that game, it was the last before subsequently going on the infamous six-game win streak and the three-game playoff run.

2. When James Starks got open, HE GOT OPEN. The Packers played the Cowboys at Lambeau in mid December of 2015 where Starks contributed to the 28-7 win by racing it up the middle for another beautiful touchdown.

1. If the key to success is consistency then by definition, James Starks was successful in Green Bay. When the Packers played the Chargers in 2015, Starks had this stunning 65-yard run for a touchdown. The run was the longest and most impressive of his NFL career.

At 30 years old, it’s likely James Starks will sign with another team for the remaining years of his career. It’s been a fun seven years watching him develop as a player in Green Bay and he will certainly be missed in green and gold on Sundays.