With training camp coming up and the deadline for the Las Vegas Raiders to come to a long-term contract agreement with running back Josh Jacobs approaching, the question of his future with the franchise remains one of the biggest stories surrounding the team.
Jacobs led the NFL in rushing last season and cemented himself as one of the best players at his position last year and expected to be rewarded with a long-term deal. That has yet to come to fruition, however, but his Raiders teammates definitely know how valuable he is.
NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger recently dropped a breakdown of some of Jacobs’ best plays last season, and Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby responded with his thoughts on where Jacobs ranks amongst the other top running backs:
Best RB On The Planet. https://t.co/2Xjkeo29iC
— 🦅MaddMaxx🦅 (@CrosbyMaxx) June 20, 2023
The likes of Nick Chubb and Derrick Henry will surely have their arguments about being at the top of that list, but following last season Jacobs undoubtedly has a case to be number one. Jacobs led the league in rushing yards, yards from scrimmage, and rush yards per game. He also ranked second in carries and fourth among running backs in rushing touchdowns.
Jacobs’ 4.9 yards per carry ranked seventh among backs last season, but of the six ahead of him only Chubb also had more than 300 carries so when it comes to having a heavy workload but maintaining efficiency, there are only a couple who could even claim to be in Jacobs’ class.
Unfortunately for Jacobs, the devaluation of running backs across the league has hurt his case for a big-money, long-term deal. Running backs are amongst the lowest-paid positions in the entire NFL and teams would now rather let these great players walk rather than reward them with lucrative deals as the shelf-life of backs is lower than many other positions.
But at just 24 years old and with his track record, Jacobs would seem to be an exception to the rule. His teammates like Crosby undoubtedly want him back in the fold, but when that will happen remains anyone’s guess as the signs are not pointing positively to a new deal coming right now.
Raiders coach Josh McDaniels not concerned with Josh Jacobs missing minicamp
Someone not too concerned, at least for the time being is Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels who was asked about Jacobs’ absence during the team’s mandatory minicamp.
McDaniels simply noted that this is all part of the process and there is still time for the two sides to come together before re-iterating how much he likes Jacobs as a person.
