When the Raiders and running back Josh Jacobs failed to agree to an extension by today’s deadline, it was assumed that the two sides couldn’t overcome a significant gap in pay. However, it sounds like the Raiders and the running back were actually close, and that fact should provide some optimism heading into next offseason.
[RELATED: Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard Fail To Reach Extension Agreements]
According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Journal-Review, “the two sides made considerable progress in the closing hours” leading up to the deadline. Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweets that Jacobs was literally sitting in the parking lot of the Raiders facility in the minutes leading up to the deadline, ready to sign an extension.
Since Jacobs hasn’t signed his franchise tag, he won’t face any fines for skipping practices. As a result, it sounds like there’s little chance the running back shows up on time to training camp. Jacobs could also threaten to sit out regular season games in an attempt to avoid injury and preserve his market value for next year. However, he’d also be sacrificing a prorated part of his $10.09MM franchise value, and there’s no guarantee that a lucrative offer is waiting for him on the other side.
However, the fact that the two sides were zeroing in on a final number provides a glimmer of hope that Jacobs will stick in Las Vegas long term, according to Bonsignore. The writer notes that there is now “a starting point and framework in place” for when the two sides are allowed to go back to the negotiating table in 2024. Thanks to the progress (albeit fruitless) during today’s negotiations, Bonsignore tweets that “it would be a mistake to presume this is the end of the line” for Jacobs and the Raiders.
So what was Jacobs looking for in his next pact? We’re not sure of the exact numbers, but the running back tweeted that he wasn’t looking to “reset the market” at the position and was simply looking for “security.” We can assume the 25-year-old wasn’t seeking a deal that paid him close to Christian McCaffrey‘s $16MM AAV or Alvin Kamara‘s $15MM AAV, and he may have joined Saquon Barkley in pursuing a contract similar to Derrick Henry ($12.5MM) and Nick Chubb ($12.2MM).
Jacobs is in a trickier situation than Barkley; while the Giants star has earned close to $40MM in his career, the Raiders RB has only pocketed around $11MM via his rookie contract. If Jacobs decided to sit out games, he’d also be giving up $560K per contest. Both running backs can make the argument that they want to save miles while threatening to sit out games, but Jacobs’ career earnings means he’ll probably still make the most of his $10MM guaranteed salary in 2023.
If Jacobs wins the rushing title again this season does he get a deal from the Raiders next year?
LeVeon Bell surrendered $14M by not playing his final season with the Steelers.
That’s a lot of dough to give up.
He then signed a 4-year deal with the Jets but only last 2 years into that Deal.
I wonder if he would do things over?
He’s publicly said he would have multiple times.
I just read a bunch of articles on ‘How poor the 3 tagged players were treated.’ & ‘How much RB’s are being dissed now’.
They’ll make $10m this year. If tagged again next year, it goes to $12m. How is that a bad deal? It goes back to the old argument that players ‘demand long term security’ sign a 5 year deal, then complain about being underpaid in 3 years. It’s the NFL, short deals are by far the best, especially when it’s guaranteed.
Tony P was right to sign his contract. He’s been making backup pay for years. Take the money when you can. Smart play by him. I get staying away from camp, but there’s no way I wouldn’t be there for week 1.
The average RB salary is 1.8M
The average K salary is 2.2M
Come on, they’re getting screwed out there. Hit on every play nearly and paid less than a guy who takes 60 snaps a whole year….
It’s backwards. Yes, 10M is a ton of money to you and I. To Barkley that’s $30M less than his career earnings. He wants stability.
Jacobs & Pollard should’ve just signed yes, but once again these guys DESERVE to have the stability that if they get hurt then their career’s aren’t over.
Your apples are trying to be oranges.
There will be 48 kickers under contract. There are 181 RBs under contract. It makes sense that many more RBs than Kickers at league minimum, therefore the lower average salary.
Per Overthecap.com Of the 48 Kickers, the average of the avg/yr is $2.28M compared to $1.94M for the 181 RBs.
The max kicker avg/yr is $6M for Justin Tucker while the max RB avg/yr is $16M for Christian McCaffrey. 11 RBs make more avg/yr than Justin Tucker.
Murf.
You pay the guy who’s winning you games (Barkley) not the guy who has an astonishing amount of turnovers in his very young (awful) career. The RB position is so under valued that KICKERS average more. I truly don’t care about how many they are, they’re paid more. Just because what 11 RBs make more? Hell all 32 starting RBs SHOULD be making more.
Not according to 32 GM’s. RB’s are a dime a dozen, just like kickers and punters. An 1,100 yard season means you have to average 65 yards a game. Late round pick material.
The most dominant RB of this generation, in my opinion, is D Henry. He’s never been to a AFC championship game. It’s a passing league.
Before the Chargers gave A Ekler a little over a million in a raise, he was able to look for a trade, nothing. I haven’t heard of anyone speaking with D Cook, EE, LF…in FA. Their numbers can be made by youngsters at half the price. It’s a business, spend where you need to & that’s no longer on RB’s. Save on them.
Uhhh Henry has been to a AFC championship game lol. They lost to the chiefs after upsetting the 1 seed ravens
I was referring to the 2021 season when Henry was injured in WK 8 and missed the rest of the regular season. The Titans’ offense was designed around Henry, but they went 6-3 without him and got the #1 seed. They effectively replaced the league leading rusher midseason who had just come off consecutive rushing titles, including a 2,000+ yard season. All of these teams are better if they can retain their star running backs, but the cost/benefit isn’t there for most teams.
There’s been multiple reports about Cook talking to the Dolphins and Patriots on this site. Don’t fear to look that far.
They are not getting screwed. Jacobs was likely offered something like 3 years, $37.5 with $25 gtd. That is a good amount of security. My guess is the Raiders won’t offer that much again next year, and he will either play under another tag or he will be traded.
The money is better spent on the o-line to create running lanes for lesser backs to average 4 yards per carry by committee. RB is the easiest position to replace without much impact to wins and losses.
Derrick Henry has been the focal point of the Titans’ offense for years – even winning games when Tannehill threw for less than 150 yards – yet the Titans went on to grab the #1 seed in the AFC a couple years ago when Henry was out with injury the last half of the season.
I love Josh Jacobs and hope he remains a Raider long-term, but the value of the position to a team is what it is. My guess is that he won’t make much more as a free agent next offseason than he was offered this year and might make less.
Wonder what his definition of “security” was.
Takes two to tango. Just because he has a number in mind, if the team doesn’t agree with that number, you simply are not getting it. He may have priced himself out of the market. Seems most likely.
By the reports I’ve read, it seems like he wasn’t proving himself out. It seems more likely that the sticking point was either length or guarantees. I’d guess he was waiting and hoping the Raiders caved and gave him the extra year he was asking for.
Not Considerable enough.