Leading up to the commencement of the 2023 NFL season, there was a contractual standoff between the Las Vegas Raiders and their star running back, Josh Jacobs. Despite Jacobs being the top rusher in the NFL in 2022 and deserving of a lucrative extension, an agreement eluded the two parties. Jacobs opted to abstain from team activities during most of the offseason, including a portion of the training camp, before eventually agreeing to a one-year deal.
While Las Vegas successfully retained Jacobs for the season, uncertainties surround his future, as he is poised to enter unrestricted free agency. According to a report from Tashan Reed of The Athletic, Jacobs is anticipated to explore the open market in March.
In the previous offseason, the Raiders attempted to use the franchise tag on Jacobs, but he declined to sign, leading to his subsequent holdout. This year, having signed a one-year deal, Jacobs now has the opportunity to seek a more favorable contract elsewhere.
Josh Jacobs is out against the Broncos on Sunday.
For the second consecutive year, he is headed into the offseason with his future in Las Vegas up in the air.@tashanreed on what's next ⤵️https://t.co/cEqWV2Epk0 pic.twitter.com/ADw8i0qFZf
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) January 6, 2024
The Raiders might have considered exploring trade options for Jacobs last offseason to recoup assets in case he departs, but now they face the prospect of losing him without any compensation. Although Jacobs has not replicated his previous year’s rushing performance, he remains a vital part of the team’s offensive strategy.
Due to multiple game absences resulting from injuries, Jacobs’ market value in free agency is uncertain, and it will be intriguing to observe how it unfolds once the official free agency period commences.