The biggest pending free agent for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason is undoubtedly running back Josh Jacobs. Coming off a year in which he led the NFL in rushing and was named to his first All-Pro First Team, Jacobs is looking to cash in with a new long-term deal.
Apparently, the Raiders intend to place a franchise tag on Jacobs if the two sides can’t come to an agreement on a new deal before Tuesday’s deadline, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
The #Raiders plan to place the franchise tag on star RB Josh Jacobs if the sides don’t reach a deal by Tuesday’s deadline, per sources.
The NFL’s leading rusher last season, Jacobs is viewed as a part of the future in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/B91YRDnZE3
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 3, 2023
Big contracts for running backs have been a dicey situation in recent years with those contracts often becoming bad deals within a couple of years as the shelf life on running backs is relatively short. But at just 25 years old, Jacobs should have many more productive years remaining under his belt.
Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels recently spoke about the front office and Jacobs having conversations and GM Dave Ziegler confirmed that at a recent press conference. The Raiders general manager wouldn’t put a timeframe on when a deal could be done but added that both sides want him to remain in silver and black, via Hondo S. Carpenter of Sports Illustrated:
“Yeah, I’d say still very fluid. You know, those conversations, we’ve had a few of them kind of getting everybody’s ideas on the table. We’ll continue to work through that process this week. You never know. I mean, I’ve been involved in deals that I thought were going to take two months and they got done in two days. And I’ve had the experience of doing deals that I thought they were going to get done quickly that don’t. Obviously, there’s a deadline coming up in terms of applying the tag, March 7, I believe is the date. And so, we understand what that deadline is, and we’re going to continue to work that process this week. So, I can’t put like a specific time on it, or I’d say like a gut feeling on what it’s going to be or not going to be is just irresponsible. I’ve done this too many times now that would kind of paint yourself in a corner that way, but I’d say where the commonality is that we want Josh to be a Raider and that Josh wants to be a Raider, and so that’s a really good place to start. Hopefully we’ll work to get some common ground here sooner than later.”
With both sides wanting the same thing, hopefully, they are able to come to terms on a long-term deal.
Dave Ziegler and the Raiders front office have some big decisions to make this offseason and what they do with Jacobs will be crucial for both the immediate and long-term future of this franchise.
