We are two weeks away from the start of free agency. One of the top names set to hit the market is Josh Jacobs. He’s certainly the top running back.
The reason his contract is up is because prior to last season the Raiders opted not to pick up the fifth year option in his rookie contract. Then Jacobs went out and had a career year, leading the league with 1653 yards rushing and over 2000 yards from scrimmage.
The Raiders are left with three options: Let him leave, slap him with the franchise tag, or sign him long term. They would prefer the latter option.
“[We] would love for JJ to continue being a Raider,” Josh McDaniels said at Tuesday morning at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. “I know [GM] Dave [Ziegler] and his (Jacobs’s) representative have been in contact. They’re working through that process together. And that’s the hope and the goal, is that he’s here for a while. So we’ll see how that all plays out.
“But, again, Dave and — him and Josh’s representatives have been in contact and that’s the goal. That’s what we’re working towards.”
Obviously, there are two sides to this. As Jacobs hinted at on twitter.
It gotta make sense for me
— Josh Jacobs (@iAM_JoshJacobs) January 24, 2023
The Raiders can want all day and they can try all they like. But if Jacobs and his rep think it’s a low offer, Jacobs will have to at least test the market to see what there is out there for him.