As expected, much of the focus on Las Vegas Raiders running backs returning to the team has been put toward All-Pro Josh Jacobs. But he isn’t the only back set to return to the silver and black as key special teamer Ameer Abdullah is sticking around as well.
According to our own Ryan Ward of Raiders Newswire, the Raiders have agreed to a new one-year deal with Abdullah:
#Raiders have officially re-signed RB Ameer Abdullah and G Netane Muti, the club announced Thursday.
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardNFL) March 10, 2023
An eight-year veteran who has also spent time with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings in his career, Abdullah has emerged as an important special teamer for the Raiders as well as a solid receiver out of the backfield. Abdullah attempted just four rushes for the season, but averaged 20.9 yards on 26 kick returns this season while playing 50% of the Raiders’ special teams snaps overall.
As a receiver, he finished with 25 catches for 211 yards and one touchdown.
Abdullah was set to become an unrestricted free agent, but this deal keeps him with the Raiders for next season before he gets the chance to hit the open market. The Raiders seem to be locking down their running back position as this move follows the front office using the franchise tag on First Team All-Pro back Josh Jacobs.
That franchise tag will pay Jacobs $10.1 million this season, but the two sides have until July 17 to come to an agreement on a long-term deal, something Jacobs would obviously prefer as he would like the long-term security that comes with such a deal. If the Raiders can’t come to terms on a new deal for Jacobs, by that date, they will have to wait until the end of the season.
The Raiders also announced that they have re-signed guard Netane Muti who joined the franchise in Week 15 this year. Muti was originally a sixth-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos of the 2020 NFL Draft and has appeared in 20 career games with four starts.
Raiders expected to be interested in QB Jimmy Garoppolo
While the running back situation is getting cleared up, the quarterback situation remains a huge question mark for the Raiders as a whole. But recent rumors suggest the team will be one of three with interest in San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Though health has been an issue, Garoppolo has been a good quarterback when on the field, posting a 40-17 record as a starter and leading the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2020.
