Packers sign running back Joel Bouagnon to futures contract

The Green Bay Packers got the Brian Gutekunst era off to a thrilling start on Wednesday with the team’s first roster transaction since officially naming him the new general manager.

Ted Thompson would be proud.

The Packers announced on Wednesday the signing of running back Joel Bouagnon to a futures contract, bringing the former Northern Illinois Husky north across the Wisconsin-Illinois border for the 2018 offseason. Bouagnon went undrafted in 2017 before signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. However, he suffered an injury early on in training camp and was placed on injured reserve before being released on an injury settlement.

Bouagnon, who measures in at 6’1” and 230 pounds, had a pre-draft visit with the Packers last spring and worked out for the team in October. At his Pro Day in March, he ran the 40-yard dash in a reported 4.66 seconds but stood out in other drills, posting an excellent time of 6.90 seconds in the 3-cone drill and having jumps of 34” (vertical) and 10 feet, two inches (broad). He was a productive college back as well, rushing for nearly 1,300 yards with 18 touchdowns in 2015 and putting up over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns as a senior in 2016.

This move adds to a stable of running backs that includes Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones, Devante Mays, and Ty Montgomery.