Josh Jacobs, the NFL’s leading rusher from last season, still doesn’t have a contract for next season. Sure, the Las Vegas Raiders have placed the franchise tag, valued at $10.09 million, on their two-time Pro Bowl running back. But he has yet to sign the franchise tender.
Jacobs, 25, is set for his fifth season in the NFL. Last year he earned $2.2 million, despite finishing with 2,053 all-purpose yards, the most in the league. He also earned first-team All-Pro honors while establishing himself as one of the best running backs in the game today.
Yet, for whatever reason, Jacobs and the Raiders haven’t been able to agree on contract value just yet. Jacobs is seeking a long-term extension, and one NFL insider suggests without a new deal, the Raiders could enter training camp without their offensive star.
“One [situation] that nobody’s talking about is Josh Jacobs, at this point, if there’s not a long-term deal I don’t anticipate Jacobs being there at the start of training camp and I don’t know that he shows up Week 1.”
Tom Pelissero on Josh Jacobs potential Las Vegas Raiders holdout
Jacobs isn’t the first player to threaten a holdout this offseason. He’s not even the first running back to do so after Saquon Barkley hinted at a similar outcome with the New York Giants also issuing a franchise tag. Like Jacobs, Barkley hasn’t signed the offer and wants more long-term security.
Both teams are better off in the short term with their Pro Bowl tailbacks, but organizations have grown concerned about shelling out large contracts over multiple seasons in recent years. Dalvin Cook’s recent release is a prime example.
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