With the franchise tag and contract situation a thing of the past, Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is ready to move from the dispute and focus on the 2023 NFL season.
Jacobs was asked on Wednesday about his thoughts regarding the contract situation now that it has been resolved. He was very matter-of-fact with the media stating, “I mean sh*t, we here. I mean, I feel like we made it happen so it ain’t no hard feelings now.”
It may not be a deep dive into Jacobs’ thoughts about the matter, but it does signal that the star running back is ready to turn the page and focus on the season, which is the only thing that matters to the Raiders in 2023.
Jacobs and the Raiders were able to end the running back’s holdout when they agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $12 million. This situation is a rare win for both parties.
Las Vegas gets their star RB in the fold, and Jacobs was able to secure more money to satisfy the respect he was initially looking for.
The #Raiders and star RB Josh Jacobs have agreed to terms on an upgraded one-year deal worth up to $12 million, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Jacobs and his agent Chad Wiestling flew to Las Vegas this week to meet with team officials. Now, the NFL rushing champ is coming back. pic.twitter.com/NogMZlUwCh
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 26, 2023
Josh Jacobs is back#RaiderNation #Raiders pic.twitter.com/0ec59Ij2hW
— Logan Reever (@loganreever) August 30, 2023
With this deal now in place, Jacobs is able to rejoin his teammates and focus on Week 1 with the Raiders opening their season against the division-rival Denver Broncos.
Josh Jacobs Is Amongst the League’s Best
It’s clear why Vegas wanted to resolve this issue before the season kicked off. Despite the RB position as a whole taking a hit in perceived value across the league, head coach Josh McDaniels understands he has a special running back in Jacobs.
August 21 reminder that Josh Jacobs is good at footballpic.twitter.com/v33p3rlNtz
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) August 21, 2023
Jacobs led the entire NFL in rushing yards last season when he finished with 340 carries for 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns. Last year was Jacobs’ fourth season in the NFL and by far his most successful. It makes sense that fresh off a league-best performance, the Raiders’ starting RB would want to be paid as such.
Over the first four seasons of Jacobs’ career, he’s been highly productive. In three of those seasons, Jacobs has tallied a 1,000-yard rushing season and has amassed 40 touchdowns in that same time frame.
The running back position may not be valued as it has been in years past, but the Raiders and Jacobs himself both know he’s one of the best.
