Las Vegas Raiders Keep Mum on Josh Jacobs Situation Ahead of Season Opener
As the start of the NFL season draws near, the Las Vegas Raiders have remained tight-lipped about the status of running back Josh Jacobs. Jacobs, who is currently signed to a $10.1 million franchise tag, has yet to put pen to paper on the deal, leaving fans and experts wondering if he will take the field for the team’s first game.
During a recent news conference, Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler was asked about Jacobs’ situation but offered no new information. Yeah, nothing new to add right now on that, so we’ll just keep pushing forward, Ziegler stated. This lack of clarity has fueled speculation about the running back’s future with the team.
Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that the Raiders opted not to exercise the fifth-year option on Jacobs’ rookie deal last offseason, which would have seen him earn approximately $8 million in 2023. With these decisions in mind, questions about Jacobs’ long-term future with the franchise have been circulating.
When pressed about the potential of a trade involving Jacobs, Ziegler responded with a standard answer typical of any organization. Any trade speculation and all that stuff, organizationally that’s nothing that we would address on any player, he explained. There’s no advantage to doing that. We’re just going to keep pushing forward.
Despite rumors and trade talks, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reported that the Raiders have informed the Miami Dolphins that Jacobs is not up for grabs. The team expects him to report ahead of the season opener and play on the franchise tag.
The Raiders’ first game of the season is scheduled against the Denver Broncos on September 10. It is a crucial AFC West matchup that could set the tone for the entire season. Having Jacobs in the lineup would significantly increase the team’s chances of starting the year with a victory, especially considering his impressive performance last season when he led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards.
If Jacobs still hasn’t signed the franchise tag by the season opener, the Raiders may turn to Zamir White as their starting running back. White would have big shoes to fill, but the team is confident in his abilities to contribute to their offensive success.
With the season just around the corner, it remains to be seen how the Josh Jacobs situation will unfold. Fans will have to wait and see if the talented running back suits up for the Raiders or if his future lies elsewhere. Until then, the team continues to focus on assembling a competitive roster as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing 6-11 record last season.
