The Las Vegas Raiders were without one of their best players to open the preseason. Josh Jacobs continues to hold out after getting hit with the franchise tag back in March and being unable to reach a long-term deal before the July 17 deadline.
Jacobs’ absence looms large over the Raiders, but general manager Dave Ziegler, who hasn’t said much about the matter, was “encouraged” about a resolution, according to an August 14 post on X from SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“We’re … encouraged that we’ll find some common ground to get him here sooner than later,” Ziegler said.
The comment came just a day after the Raiders’ preseason matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, where Ziegler told fans, “We’ll make it happen,” while signing autographs.
#RaiderNation asking GM Dave Ziegler to sign RB Josh Jacobs
“We’ll make it happen”- Ziegler
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Josh Jacobs Urged to Sign Franchise Tag
If Jacobs, 25, refuses to sign, he’s in jeopardy of the Raiders rescinding the tag and letting him test free agency, thereby risking losing out on $10.1 million, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.
“The market has dramatically changed for accomplished running backs,” Florio wrote in an August 14 column. “That should be enough to get Josh Jacobs to accomplish the acceptance of his franchise tender.”
No free agent running back has signed a contract worth more than $7 million in annual average value, according to Spotrac. That figure comes in lower than the potential $8.6 million that Dalvin Cook could make, <a href=”http://ESPN’s Adam Schefter” target=”_blank”>according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, under his deal with the New York Jets. As far as runners still in their primes, Miles Sanders of the Carolina Panthers and David Montgomery of the Detroit Lions signed deals with AAVs of $6.25 million and $6 million, respectively, according to Spotrac. And three-time Pro Bowler Ezekiel Elliott also got $6 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Jacobs has little recourse right now. He doesn’t risk fine holding out of training camp as he’s technically not under contract. However, he will start to lose money once the regular season starts and he misses out on game checks.
Jacobs Still Has Leverage in Negotiations: Writer
Jacobs, who led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards last season, still has leverage, according to CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr, who acknowledging that though Jacobs’ options are limited, the Raiders must have him on their roster.
“The Raiders aren’t a good football team, needing Jacobs to win football games in 2023,” Kerr wrote in July. “Las Vegas was 5-1 when Jacobs rushed for 100-plus yards last season and 6-3 when Jacobs finished with 20-plus carries.”
Matt Holder of SB Nation’s Silver and Black Pride agreed that Jacobs is not without out some leverage, writing in July: “Essentially, he’s saying to the Raiders, ‘Pay me or you’ll be without one of your best players on the roster during the most crucial month of practice of the entire season.’ And the organization has to decide what’s more valuable for the long-term health of the team.”
Pundits’ opinions vary on how the Jacobs-Raiders will play out.
“Will Jacobs show up? He should. Will the Raiders rescind the tender? They could,” Florio said.
Matt Holder of SB Nation’s Silver and Black Pride summed it with: “Anyone who says they have a definitive answer is lying.
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Raiders GM Dave Ziegler Breaks Silence, Offers Update on Josh Jacobs