Davante Adams 'not happy' about absence of Raiders RB Josh Jacobs

As the Las Vegas Raiders approach their first preseason game of the year, it’s impossible to ignore the Josh Jacobs-sized hole on the roster. The star running back still has not signed his franchise tag deal for $10.1 million this season and he isn’t planning to join the team for training camp any time soon.

Raiders receiver Davante Adams discussed the situation on Sunday and though he didn’t outright say he believes the team should pay the running back, he did say that he believes Jacobs is the best back in the league.

“You see the way we like to play the game, we like to run the ball… Not having him right now is obviously something that I’m not happy with,” Adams said on NFL Network. “We got to keep it going as a team until we figure out that piece. Obviously, he’s a huge part of this team and this offense. He’s a really good leader.

“He played like the best back in the league last year, which if you ask me he is the best back in the league. It’s tough not having him at this point of the training period. We’ll see what happens down the line.”

Although Jacobs posted a whopping 340 carries, 1,653 yards, 12 touchdowns and 4.9 yards per carry last season, he’s still underpaid compared to the league’s top-paid RBs. Compared to Christian McCaffrey’s average annual salary, the offer of $10.1 million is roughly $6 million less.

“I’ve been in similar shoes in my time in Green Bay,” Adams added. “It’s not easy to push forward and make decisions when you don’t feel that true value from the organization, when they don’t value you the way you see yourself.”

Chiefs, Broncos have interest in Jacobs

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.

“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.”

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.”

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.