The fate of players often hangs in the balance in the competitive landscape of NFL contract negotiations. They are subject to the whims of team executives and the intricacies of league regulations. Running backs have arguably been grappling with this uncertainty for several years now.
One such running back facing a crucial moment in his career is the Las Vegas Raiders Josh Jacobs. The team is now revamping their squad under the guidance of new head coach Antonio Pierce. However, Jacobs’ scenario seems much more complex compared to other players on the roster.
Tom Telesco provides update on Josh Jacobs contract situation
Raiders’ general manager, Dave Ziegler, opted not to exercise the fifth-year option on Josh Jacobs. It set the stage for the running back to hit unrestricted free agency. In response, Raiders’ general manager, Tom Telesco, expressed a desire to keep the player but ruled out using the franchise tag this year.
“As a GM, you never want to take anything off the table, but I don’t anticipate using that tag this year”, Telesco at the NFL Scouting Combine via Bleacher Report.
The GM acknowledged the back’s versatility in the running game, pass game, and pass protection. He sees the footballer as a high-level asset for the Raiders and emphasizes a philosophy of retaining their own talent.
“He’s a high-level player, and I do want to establish a philosophy with the Raiders that we do like to sign our own. Doesn’t bother me that I didn’t draft him. He’s a Raider, and he was drafted by a Raider, and he’s a high-level player, so we’re going to explore pretty hard to see if we can bring him back here and kind of go from there.”
The Raiders now face the challenge of securing a deal before Josh Jacobs becomes an unrestricted free agent on March 13 at 3 p.m. CDT. The franchise tag amount for him would amount to $14.149 million. It will make him the highest-paid RB in the NFL for the 2024 season.
Telesco’s strategy involves enticing him to stay with the team through a new contract before the commencement of free agency. The GM appears prepared to explore all avenues. However, he suggests a readiness to move on if a deal cannot be reached before the critical deadline on March 13.
Josh Jacobs’ projected contract with Raiders
Josh Jacobs’ anticipated contract is expected to span three years, totaling $34.5 million. The projected deal, which might include an impressive $21.3 million guaranteed, was estimated by PFF.
The RB enjoyed a stellar 2022 season where he dominated the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards and 2,053 yards from scrimmage. The Raiders signed a one-year deal ahead of the 2023 season to return with the squad and paid him $11.791 million.
However, the footballer’s performance in the 2023 season saw a decline. He faced challenges by experiencing a dip in productivity as he battled a quadriceps injury. This setback limited his output to 805 rushing yards and 1,101 scrimmage yards.
