Running back Josh Jacobs was one of the few bright spots in what was an otherwise disastrous 2022 season for the Las Vegas Raiders.
As they looked to pick up the pieces from their 6-11 finish, they used their franchise tag on Jacobs, and Jacobs hoped in the meantime that he would receive a generous new contract from them.
But he didn’t, and now the big question is when he will report with the start of training camp nearing.
Tom Pelissero tweeted that Jacobs was in the parking lot of the Raiders’ team facility with star pass rusher Maxx Crosby hoping to receive notification that the organization had agreed to a new deal, but it never happened.
How close was Josh Jacobs to signing an extension with the #Raiders?
He was sitting in a car in the parking lot of the #Raiders facility with teammate Maxx Crosby at the deadline, ready to sign if it got done.
It didn’t, and now it’s unclear when the rushing champ will return. pic.twitter.com/Ex1JzR1QOt
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 17, 2023
In the first three seasons of his NFL career, Jacobs was a solid tailback that went over the 1,000-yard mark twice and made the Pro Bowl in 2020, but last season, he ascended to a much higher level.
He scored 12 rushing touchdowns while leading the league with 1,653 rushing yards and establishing a career-high with 4.9 yards per carry attempt.
If Las Vegas is to lose Jacobs anytime soon, they will be in some trouble.
Fortunately, they boast the services of Davante Adams, who is arguably the best wide receiver in football, and they have added Jakobi Meyers, who had 804 yards and six touchdowns in 2022 for the New England Patriots.
The Raiders blew a number of sizable leads and lost several close games last season, so perhaps better decision-making should be at the top of their to-do list for 2023.
