Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs held out of training camp after receiving the franchise tag from the team in the offseason. He ended his holdout in late August after signing a one-year deal for this season.
Raiders owner Mark Davis had high praise for Jacobs in an interview with ESPN, “I love Josh. He’s phenomenal. He was the heart of our team, in my mind. He came to play every day. Tough, tough, tough guy. Just really proud of him. He was a Raider.”
Can Josh Jacobs Get Another Franchise Tag?
The Raiders can apply the franchise tag to Jacobs again after this season if the two sides are unable to reach an agreement on a long-term contract. Jacobs signed a one-year deal that could be worth close to $12 million if roster bonuses are met. The franchise tag deal for a running back was $10.1 million in 2023.
If Jacobs gets tagged again, he will make over $14 million — the automatic base salary will be a 20% increase because it will be the second time he receives the designation. A player who gets tagged a third time would make a 44% increase in his previous year’s salary.
How Has Jacobs Performed This Season?
Jacobs has 506 rush yards in 159 attempts through nine games this season. He had 821 yards on 159 rush attempts in the first nine games of last season. He’s only gaining 3.2 yards per rush this season with five touchdowns. There could be a number of factors in the change of numbers, including Jacobs missing training camp and the Raiders not having Derek Carr as quarterback.
MORE: Las Vegas Raiders Depth Chart
Jacobs is coming off his best game of the season last week against the New York Giants. He rushed for 98 yards with two touchdowns in the first game under interim head coach Antonio Pierce. Jacobs has not rushed for 100 yards in a game this season; he did that six times in 2022.
What Other Running Backs Can Be Free Agents?
Along with Jacobs, there are a number of former Pro Bowl running backs that can be free agents after the season. The group includes the Tennessee Titans’ Derrick Henry, the New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley, the Los Angeles Chargers’ Austin Ekeler, and the Dallas Cowboys’ Tony Pollard. Some players could receive the franchise tag from their teams and not be allowed to hit unrestricted free agency.
The Indianapolis Colts and Jonathan Taylor reached an agreement on a three-year, $42 million deal in October that will keep the All-Pro off the free agent market. The Colts had explored trade options for Taylor before signing him through the 2026 season.
Running back contracts were a major topic in the offseason when players like Barkley and Jacobs were unable to reach a long-term deal. Teams seem fine not wanting to commit long-term to running backs who have had a heavy workload in their careers.
Henry posted on social media, “At this point, just take the RB position out the game then. The ones that want to be great & work as hard as they can to give their all to an organization. Just seems like it don’t even matter. I’m with every RB that’s fighting to get what they deserve.”
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