My Two Cents by Old Timer
Will this by Josh Jacobs’ last year as a Raider?
Hello RaiderNation! Things are starting to move now with OTA’s and Training camp just around the corner on July 18th for rookies and 20th for veterans. The day before training camp is one we should all be cognizant of, as that is the last day for Josh Jacobs to sign his franchise tag. Jacobs’ has made it clear he would like a long term deal, that he wants to start and finish his career as a Raider. As it stands, if they don’t reach a deal, he would get $10,091 million for playing this year and the Raiders would have the option of placing the franchise tag on him next year as well. The amount he would get would likely change a little as it is figured by taking the average of the cap hits of the top 5 running backs, and the Raiders would not be able to place the franchise tag on him again. What if he doesn’t sign by July 17th? This is a possibility, but highly unlikely. Leveon Bell did just that back in 2018. He did not play that year, and made no money either. No, I don’t think Jacobs will skip the season, He will sign for that $10.091 million and play.
So let’s discuss this. As a die hard Raiders’ fan all of my life (at least since I was about to start kindergarten), I want to see Jacobs play his entire career as a Raider. Sure, this will be his 6th year in the league, and running backs don’t typically have a long lifespan with all the damage their bodies take from getting hit. But Jacobs did not show one bit of slowing down last year. If you look at his stats, he is only slightly halfway past the 2,000 carry threshold (1,072) which means it is possible for him to have another 4 to 5 years left in him. Especially when you consider the fact that he was not used heavily in college. So there is reason to believe he could continue to be a top 5 or top 10 running back for the next 4 years at least. I think Jacobs would be agreeable to a 4 year deal in the neighborhood of what he will get this year on the tag per year.
There is one problem with this scenario however. This is not how McDaniels and Ziegler do business. They have never paid big money to running backs. They would rather bring in backs that are declining but still very capable, and pay them less money than they would a star running back. That is how they do it in New England, and that is gonna be how they do it here. We already saw some of this last year with Ameer Abdullah, Brandon Bolden, and Jakob Johnson. On top of that, they are big on Zamir White who they drafted last year and are also big on a UDFA from last year that ended up getting placed on injured reserve. Does that mean Jacobs will be gone soon? No, I don’t think so. I think Jacobs plays for $10 million this year and if he has another great year, it is possible they give him the franchise tag again. What I don’t think will happen is Raiders’ give him a 4 or 5 year contract, I just don’t see it. I believe he will be with us this year and possibly next. After that unless he wants to sign a series of 1 or 2 year contracts, he will be gone. But once a Raider always a Raider right? I am sure he will retire a Raider no matter what.
So what do you think RaiderNation? Will the do what I hope they will do, or will they do what I think they will do. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Is there something you would like to see me write about, let me know that to in the comment section. Peace out!
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