NEWSLETTER
Time is running out for teams to reach deals with pending free agents before Tuesday’s franchise tag deadline. Josh Jacobs and the Raiders haven’t reached a new deal yet, and as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports, Vegas will place the franchise tag on Jacobs if they do not come to terms with the star running back by Tuesday.
Of course, we know how Jacobs feels about having the franchise tag placed on him. At the Pro Bowl last month, Jacobs said he would be the “hero turned villain” if the Raiders went that route.
The star running back, whom the Raiders drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft*, is represented the Raiders and the AFC at the Pro Bowl Games after rushing for a league-high 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022.
Jacobs and the Raiders were set to resume contract negotiations after the Pro Bowl. Unfortunately, nothing has materialized since that point.
The Raiders have $48.4 million in cap space to work with this offseason. However, they also have to replace Derek Carr at quarterback after releasing the long-time QB last month.
Over the Cap has Josh Jacobs’ 2022 valuation at $15,429,000. Pro Football Focus’ free agency projections have Jacobs pegged at one-year, $10.09 million (the franchise tag number for running backs). If the Raiders were to tag Jacobs, they would pay him that $10.09 million in 2023.
As far as what an extension might look like, Jacobs led the NFL in rushing in 2022. So, a deal in the yearly range of Christian McCaffrey’s $16 million would be a good starting point.
