The Las Vegas Raiders began the offseason by signing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and placing the franchise tag on running back Josh Jacobs. With training camp approaching and issues with Davante Adams settled, Las Vegas now has a new problem.
Jacobs didn’t want to receive the franchise tag this spring, which prevented him from becoming a free agent. At a time when NFL teams are devaluing running backs and cutting costs at the position, the first-team All-Pro found himself in a position familiar to his peers.
- Josh Jacobs contract: $10.091 million salary, 2024 free agent
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Because Jacobs hasn’t signed his franchise tag, worth $10 million fully guaranteed, he can skip OTAs and minicamp without being subject to fines or team discipline. The Raiders aren’t concerned about his absence right now, but the increasing length of the holdout could pose an issue for Las Vegas this summer.
The 25-year-old running back made it clear on Saturday why he is holding out. In an offseason that saw the Minnesota Vikings release Dalvin Cook, while the Cincinnati Bengals considered cutting Joe Mixon, rostering the highest-paid running backs has become far less appealing to NFL teams who are focused on using their cap space efficiently.
If Jacobs signed the $10.09 million tag, he would be tied with Saquon Barkley for seventh in annual salary among running backs. However, it’s the lack of long-term financial and job security that poses a problem for Jacobs and his peers.
- Josh Jacobs stats (2022): 1,653 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, 93 first downs, 4.9 yards per carry, 2,053 scrimmage yards
The former first-round pick is still training for the upcoming season, keeping his body in shape to be ready to contribute immediately when he returns to the team. For now, he is trying to fight on behalf of his fellow running backs with the hope it helps them in the future.
Unfortunately for Jacobs, it might be a losing battle. There are no signs that the two sides are close on a contract extension and Las Vegas is likely comfortable simply allowing Jacobs to play on the franchise tag.
It leaves him with the decision of continuing to try and fight for a long-term deal with a holdout to create leverage or inevitably signing the franchise tender and taking his chances in free agency next year.