Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs has yet to report to the team’s mandatory minicamp as he has refused to sign the franchise tender in hopes of securing a long-term deal with the team. While head coach Josh McDaniels isn’t worried, Jacobs’ future with the franchise could be up in the air if the two sides can’t come to an agreement.
One place where Jacobs will still run wild for the Raiders is on the latest edition of Madden 24, one of the premier sports video games every year. If fans are worried about being able to see Jacobs in silver and black, they can get their fill in the virtual world.
EA Sports recently released the reveal trailer for the latest edition of the game, and it features Jacobs in those famous Raiders colors in his new jersey number of 8:
A couple of months ago, Jacobs announced that he would be changing his jersey number from the No. 28 which he has worn throughout his NFL career, to No. 8, which he sported in his final two college seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Seeing him in that uniform, even in a virtual sense, was nice, but the more pressing question remains when he will be on the actual field.
After leading the NFL in rushing and scrimmage yards, Jacobs is looking for a long-term deal to remain with the Raiders, but the team chose to place the franchise tag on him. Jacobs has refused to sign the tender, and the two sides have until July 17 to come to an agreement on a new contract.
To this point, the signs haven’t been great about the two sides coming together, as Jacobs has been open about his frustration. Reports have stated that the two sides haven’t engaged in meaningful discussions, and Jacobs said in April that he has no plans on returning to Las Vegas anytime soon, another negative sign about where the two sides stand.
The issue for Jacobs is that the running back position has been devalued across the league, and are the lowest-paid players amongst all skill positions in the NFL. It is why some have called for backs to come together and boycott, something that Jacobs seems to be in favor of.
At 25 years old, Jacobs is still at an age well before most backs tend to decline, and he wants to, rightfully, cash in before that time comes.
