The contract extension saga between the Las Vegas Raiders and Josh Jacobs isn’t ending anytime soon. Both parties have until Monday at 4 p.m. ET to reach an agreement, but it seems neither side is willing to budge on their demands.
Yahoo! Sports senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson reported on Thursday, citing sources, that Jacobs is preparing to sit out of parts of training camp if an extension can’t be reached.
Darren Waller was one former Raider who signed an extension only to be traded to the New York Giants this offseason. While many fans are ready to put the Waller era behind them, Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan shared vital information that led to the trade.
The key reason why the Raiders and Josh Jacobs cannot agree on a contract extension…
Robinson reported a shift in philosophy that the Raiders as to why the franchise isn’t keen on backing up the Brinks truck for Jacobs. The negotiation disagreement stems from a divergence in the team’s vision for building and allocating money across the roster.
Under the leadership of head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler, Las Vegas seems to prioritize a different approach that does not heavily emphasize allocating significant funds toward a running back.
The impasse in the negotiations suggests that the Raiders are unwilling to set a precedent by offering Jacobs a bar-setting extension, despite his notable contributions to the team.
Running backs have become interchangeable in the NFL. Essentially, the Raiders are going down the popular path to avoid paying for a position with a short shelf life. As Monday’s deadline to reach a long-term agreement might come and go. So, fans might have to accept that Jacobs could continue his career elsewhere.
Raiders’ reported reason for trading Darren Waller this offseason
While Jacobs attempts to secure a long-term contract, Waller received his extension last offseason to remain a Raider for the foreseeable future. Still, that didn’t stop Las Vegas from moving on from their star tight end when an offer came.
Waller has already weighed in with his thoughts regarding the trade, and Caplan shed light on what led Las Vegas to decide it was time to move on from the 30-year-old. The Georgia Tech product was traded to the New York Giants for a third-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Caplan reported Thursday, citing league sources, that some within the Raiders got wary of Waller missing significant time. Over the last two seasons, the tight end has missed 14 games. While Waller had no off-the-field concerns, a pro personnel source told Caplan that Las Vegas was wise to move away from an older player who has trouble staying healthy before it’s too late.
To address the absence of Waller, the Raiders turned to the 2023 NFL Draft. The Silver and Black took Michael Mayer in the second round. Las Vegas likely sees Mayer, a promising rookie tight end, as a potential replacement for Waller’s production.
It may take time for Mayer to develop and acclimate to the professional level. However, the Raiders hope he can contribute effectively to their offensive scheme.
*Top Photo: John Fisher/CSM/Alamy Live News
