The Las Vegas Raiders have a motivated Josh Jacobs on their roster as the 2023 NFL season approaches. But just how motivated is the 25-year-old? He wants to replicate Derrick Henry’s success with the Tennessee Titans.
Jacobs hopes to leave his mark with Las Vegas, especially if he signs a long-term contract next offseason. He will be doing so by playing in what USA Today calls one of the top stadiums in the NFL. The Raiders had long searched for a world-class home, and now they have one.
Let’s get into what’s surrounding the Silver and Black as Week 1 nears.
Josh Jacobs wants to build something special in Las Vegas
The Josh Jacobs saga ended when the star running back accepted a one-year contract with the new season set to begin on Sept. 10. However, Jacobs isn’t returning just for the paycheck, although he deserves that too. No, the current NFL rushing champion is ready to build a legacy with the Raiders.
Jacobs recently stated that he would like to emulate what his fellow Alabama alumnus Henry has done with the Titans. The former Heisman Trophy winner has provided the playbook for long-term sustained success, which at their position is rare. This offseason showed just how highly some teams value running backs while others have reluctantly paid their ball carriers.
“But Derrick [Henry] man, just since the day I met him, even in college when he used to come back and train, and you hear all these stories about him at Alabama,” Jacobs told reporters Wednesday. “After having big games, he used to go in and squat and stuff after the game and stuff like that.
“He always just was a different breed of a player, and just to see how he is now, still sustaining his success and going out there and being a guy [for] his team for this long, I mean, it’s just something that I want to do here with the Raiders, just to be able to be the guy and sustain it for a long period of time.”
Henry has eclipsed 1,500 yards or more in three of his last four seasons in Nashville. Additionally, the three-time Pro Bowler hit over 2,000 yards rushing in 2020, etching his name in history by joining the legendary ‘2K Club’. Jacobs had his coming out party last season, but now it seems he wants more than a rushing title.
If the Raiders star can become a back-to-back rushing champion, he’s putting his name to claim the “best running back in the NFL” label. The All-Pro runner is entering his prime years, so his reign is only getting started. If the 2022 campaign is any indication, grab your popcorn. The offense should run directly through the Crimson Tide product.
Nonetheless, having a motivated Jacobs who wants a similar impact as the Tennessee superstar bodes well for Las Vegas. If the Silver and Black want to challenge for a playoff spot, they’ll need their elite running back to be on top of his game.
Is Allegiant Stadium one of the best in the NFL?
If Jacobs wants to build a legacy with the Raiders, it means he’ll be calling Allegiant Stadium home for the foreseeable future. Well, USA Today did a ranking (h/t Bro Bible’s Dov Kleiman) of all the stadiums in the NFL. Where does the Raiders’ home rank? Spoiler alert: it’s in the top five.
According to USA Today, the only stadiums in the league better than Allegiant Stadium are M&T Bank Stadium, Arrowhead Stadium, and Lumen Field. While the ranking in the tweet doesn’t provide much context as to what went into the thought process, the fan experience is likely a significant factor.
Whether the team was in Oakland or now in Las Vegas, Raiders fans will always bring their unique character. Now, you combine that with a top-class facility that will host Super Bowl LVIII, and it’s easy to see why it’s considered one of the best stadiums in the league.
So what do you say, Raiders fans? Do you agree with the ranking?
Where does Allegiant Stadium land on your list of best stadiums in the NFL? Let us know.
*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images