Hello RaiderNation! Wonderful news today!! Josh Jacobs is back!!! Announced earlier this morning, the Raiders signed Josh Jacobs to a 1 year (it could only be a 1 year deal since it is past the July 17th deadline) for $11.8 million, and up to $200 thousand in incentives that could make the deal an even 12 million. I have not been able to find out what the incentives are, but as long as he is back, that is all that matters.
There have been many that have been under the belief that Jacobs was holding out because he wanted top money. That was never the case. What Jacobs has always been after is a long term contract. Some of his statements were taken the wrong way such as the one about doing for others to come. That was not about the money either, that was about the use of the franchise tag. The franchise tag gives you no security at all. It is a 1 year deal and that is it. On top of that, they can tag you again the next year and basically use you for 2 years. Jacobs has never wanted more than to be a fairly paid Raider for his career. He got part of that wish, but without any guaranteed longevity.
The Raiders simply don’t want to be tied down to him, or anyone else for that matter as they tend to put clauses in the contracts that allow them to get out after the first year. Some say that is smart thinking. I say that is no way to build a family and the Raiders have always been a family. That is something that has been changing with the new regime and something I don’t care for. But it is what it is and I am a Raider fan through and through until the day I die.
For those of you who still think it was Jacobs who was being greedy and that’s why they could not reach a contract, I urge you to watch the Rich Eisen Show episode with Vic Tafur. It is a short video but if you want to cut to the chase go to the 3:10 mark. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFNVo2oawXc The Raiders were not even willing to start with a 2 year $22 million contract. They say they offered him around $12 million, but what they don’t say is they wouldn’t guarantee more than the first year. He wanted security. He wants to be a Raider for life. He wants to start and finish his career with the Raiders. He wasn’t looking to make more than the other backs. That is just the narrative that was pushed.
So now we are ready for the 2013 season. We just have to hope Garoppolo doesn’t get hurt, and if he does, that O’Connell can ball out the way he has so far this pre-season. Either way, I feel better about the whole thing now that Jacobs is back to carry the rock!!
So what do you think RaiderNation? Let me know in the comments below. Peace out!!
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