The Raiders are running out of time to convince Josh Jacobs to report to the team, and rival organizations are already preparing for the possibility that the running back could be a late addition to the free agent pool. According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, the Chiefs and Broncos are “among the teams interested” in Jacobs if he has his franchise tag rescinded.
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As Florio notes, there are five options for the Raiders and Jacobs at the moment. The running back could simply accept his $10.1MM franchise tender, or the two sides could agree to an “enhanced deal” that offers more money (similar to Saquon Barkley and the Giants) or a promise to not tag him next offseason. Jacobs could also decide to sit out games, or the front office could try to find a taker via trade.
The fifth scenario would see the Raiders rescind the franchise tag, which would make Jacobs a free agent. As Florio notes, the player is “aware of the possibility and unconcerned about it.” While the running back would be hard pressed to recoup the $10.1MM on the open market, Jacobs would be fine taking the best deal from a contender.
So, in comes the Chiefs and Broncos. Kansas City would fit the bill of a contender, and they could offer Jacobs a role atop their depth chart. That spot is currently held by 2022 seventh-round pick Isiah Pacheco, who had 960 yards from scrimmage as a rookie before adding another 262 yards in the postseason. The Chiefs are also rostering pass-catching RB Jerick McKinnon and former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but Jacobs obviously brings a stronger resume than any of those three backs.
It’s a stretch to describe the Broncos as a surefire contender, at least heading into the regular season. However, Florio notes that the organization would be a fit “at the right price.” Former second-round pick Javonte Williams is prime to lead the depth chart, but the running back is recovering from a torn ACL, LCL, and posterolateral corner. The Broncos also added Samaje Perine as insurance, but Jacobs would obviously provide a more established alternative to Williams.
Of course, the Chiefs, Broncos, and any other suitor would have to wait on the Raiders to blink and rescind the franchise tag. As Florio notes, this scenario wouldn’t allow Jacobs to maximize his overall value, but it would allow the player to stand on “principle” as running backs continue to navigate their declining market value.
