Las Vegas Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler addressed the media in Henderson, Nevada, earlier on Friday, with the 2023 NFL Draft quickly approaching. One of the topics that was addressed was the absence of All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs.
As most Raiders fans are aware, the team intends to place the franchise tag on Jacobs this year. However, the former Alabama product has yet to sign his tender. Obviously, speculation now runs rampant and brings up an interesting debate for Raider Nation. Should the team sign him to a long-term commitment?
Things are at a standstill between the Raiders, Dave Ziegler, and Josh Jacobs
We’ve seen the running back position completely devalued around the NFL this offseason, so any deal worth serious money will receive its share of criticism. More so when you take into account that Jacobs is coming off what can be considered his first full season.
As far as the latest musings go, Ziegler was straightforward in his assessment this week.
Raiders GM Dave Ziegler confirms RB Josh Jacobs has not signed his ‘franchise tag’ and thus, is not allowed to be w/team for voluntary offseason program, which began this week. “We’ll continue to work through that situation…continue with that process and see where it goes.”
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) April 21, 2023
The organization does have until mid-July to work something out with Jacobs in terms of a new contract. Whether Ziegler and Co. intend to do so is anyone’s guess. Behind Jacobs sits a group of young running backs itching for an opportunity: Zamir White, Brittain Brown, and Sincere McCormick, who missed his entire rookie year. Head coach Josh McDaniels’ offensive system has regularly churned out effective runners, and you have to wonder just how expendable Jacobs really is.
This current regime has no issue moving on from star players; Jacobs is one of the few pillars left over from the Raiders’ previous regime. On the other hand, surrounding new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with as much firepower as possible plays into a decision. Jacobs, alongside Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyes, Hunter Renfrow, and a potentially improved O-line, gives the Raiders a formidable group heading into Year 2 of Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler.
For now, the show goes on without Jacobs.
*Top Photo: L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal
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