Josh Jacobs has found a forever home in Las Vegas, but will that translate to another contract with the Raiders?
Jacobs doesn’t plan on leaving Vegas anytime soon, but that wouldn’t stop him from playing elsewhere in 2024.
“Obviously, this is home for me,” Jacobs said while speaking with Vinny Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Regardless how it plays out, this is still somewhere I will forever keep a house and things like that. I will forever keep a home.”
Josh Jacobs wants to remain with the @Raiders. But as free agency looms, he’s not stressing about the future “I trust God’s plan”
My story after catching up with Josh today: https://t.co/7ddN5K7rQ1
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) February 9, 2024
The Raiders were in this same position last offseason. The two sides agreed to a one-year, $11.791 million in August to keep him with the team through last season. But that deal is up — and multiple teams are already showing interest.
Antonio Pierce has been a heavy supporter of bringing Jacobs back, but the new Raiders’ GM, Tom Telesco, could decide to go in a different direction moving forward.
Jacobs is coming off a down year that saw him miss the final four games of the season due to injury. He had 805 rushing yards, 296 receiving yards, and six touchdowns in 13 games played, and only eclipsed the 100-yard mark twice (Weeks 10 and 12).
Zamir White beat Josh Jacobs last year in:
* Yards per carry
* Yards after contact per attempt
* Missed tackles forced per attempt
* @NextGenStats Rush Yards Over Expected Per Attempt
* @PFF Elusive Rating
* PFF rushing grade— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) February 1, 2024
Zamir White played admirably in Jacobs’ absence. He had 457 scrimmage yards and one touchdown in the final four games of the season — and the Raiders went 3-1 in that span. If the Raiders don’t bring Jacobs back, White would likely lead the backfield in 2024.
Josh Jacobs Taking Notice of Raiders’ Moves This Offseason
While his future with the team is uncertain, Jacobs likes what the Raiders are building — and is open to a return.
“I trust the system and the guys that they’re putting together,” Jacobs said to the LVRJ. “I know that the guys that they’re gonna bring back and the guys that they’re gonna bring in are going to be fully bought in. So, it’s going to be a fun season.”
Top free agent RB @iAM_JoshJacobs in Las Vegas this week taking local underprivileged kids shopping for super bowl gear.
Jacobs tells @FOX5Vegas he's ready for his next opportunity.
"Soon as the season ended, I went right back to work."#SuperBowlLVIII pic.twitter.com/5tOQSrAXTQ
— Paloma Villicana (@PalomaFOX5News) February 9, 2024
He even voiced his desire to get the Raiders back into the playoffs:
“Hopefully, we can get this ball rolling, make the playoffs, and go [further]. And give the fans a lot to support,” he added.
So, what are the Raiders’ options? Let him walk, sign a short-term or long-term deal, or franchise tag him.
For a player who turns 26 years old on Feb. 11, a long-term contract seems like the right thing to do. We’ll see which route Telesco takes — hopefully, we find out before August.
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