For the first time in his career, running back Josh Jacobs will be able to test free agency.
The Las Vegas Raiders chose against placing the franchise tag on him, but that doesn’t mean he won’t return.
The Raiders might still re-sign Jacobs, but they’ve opened the door to any of the other 31 clubs offering him a higher deal. If the team does not re-sign Jacobs, another high-profile running back is being linked to Las Vegas. According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, the Raiders are one of several teams interested in New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley.
“Sources view the Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles as some primary potential suitors who have the resources, need and interest to possibly sign Saquon Barkley,” Leonard said in a column published on March 5.
Barkley, like Jacobs, played last season under the franchise tag but will now be ready to test free agency. He is only 27 years old and has already made two Pro Bowl appearances. If the Giants do not retain him, he will be highly sought after. However, it is tough to understand why the Raiders would pursue him.
2,028 scrimmage yds. 15 TDs. OROY.
Remember how dynamic @saquon was in Year 1? pic.twitter.com/LC8n7hzPKX
— NFL (@NFL) June 16, 2023
Why Would Las Vegas Raiders Sign Saquon Barkley Over Josh Jacobs?
Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley are expected to sign comparable contracts this offseason. Both are youthful former first-round choices who have appeared in several Pro Bowls. Barkley is slightly superior in the passing game, although Jacobs is a better pure rusher.
That is precisely why the Raiders’ pursuit of Barkley makes little sense. They already know Jacobs and what he offers to the team. He’s been a team captain and has overcome injuries. He also expressed a desire to return.
Barkley is unlikely to be considerably less expensive than Jacobs. Why would the Raiders pay over $10 million per year for Barkley but not Jacobs? They almost likely would not. Now, if Jacobs decides he wants to play for a team like the Dallas Cowboys and does not want to stay in Las Vegas, the team should consider adding Barkley. Aside from that, Jacobs is probably the only running back the Raiders will spend money on.
Josh Jacobs Expected to Take Shorter Contract
This is not a good year for Josh Jacobs to enter free agency. There are so many excellent possibilities, including Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry. According to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, Jacobs will sign a two-year deal worth $19.5 million so that he may return to free agency while still in his prime.
“Spotrac gives Jacobs a projected market value of $10.6 million annually,” Know wrote in his March 4 column. “That may be a bit high, given Jacobs’ 2023 performance and quad injury, as well as a deep free-agent RB class led by Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, and Derrick Henry.”
“The prediction here is that Jacobs takes a shorter deal to reestablish his value and hit the market again before the age of 30.”
This deal structure would make a lot of sense for the Raiders since it would keep them from having to commit much money to Jacobs for an extended period of time.
