Report: Josh Jacobs drawing interest from Chiefs, Broncos if Raiders rescind franchise tag

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs has yet to show up to training camp and there could be two other teams interested in his services.

If the Raiders choose to rescind the star running back’s franchise tag, two AFC West foes might battle to snag him up, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. Jacobs was tagged to a $10.1 million deal on the franchise tag for 2023.

But one regular contender and one team trying to forget about a poor 2022 would want Jacobs in their backfield.

“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Chiefs and Broncos are among the teams interested in Jacobs,” Florio wrote. “And while the Broncos could be a considerable way from contender status, they’d be an option at the right price.”

Putting Jacobs on the Chiefs just gives the Super Bowl champs another valuable weapon. No doubt Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid could scheme up quality carries for Jacobs.

As far as the Raiders are concerned, the team could rescind the tag per Florio. That’s their emergency option if all else fails.

Jacobs is reportedly aware of the possibility, but won’t act hastily.

“Jacobs, we’re told, is aware of the possibility and unconcerned about it,” Florio wrote. “He knows that $10.1 million won’t be there, if he’s suddenly a free agent in late August or early September. “But he would still have a plan. He would be inclined to take the best deal he could get from a contending team, starting with the Chiefs.”

This comes merely a week after the Raiders reportedly offered Jacobs a top-five contract for running backs throughout the entire NFL.

But he passed on the deal and instead sat out the start of training camp. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Raiders offered Jacobs $12 million for the season. 

That would tie him with the Packers’ Aaron Jones. San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey is the top earned at tailback. He makes $16,02 million.

It was career highs across the board for Jacobs last season, his fourth in the NFL out of Alabama. He ran 340 times for 1,653 yards, 12 touchdowns and 4.9 yards per carry. He also added 53 catches for 400 yards.

Over the course of his career, Jacobs has 1,072 carries, 4,740 yards, 40 touchdowns, 4.4 yards per carry, 160 catches and 1,152 receiving yards.

The Raiders selected Jacobs with No. 24 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama.