NFL insider shares update on Josh Jacobs' future

Josh Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing last season, sent out a cryptic tweet, Tuesday. If you’re a Raiders fan, divert your eyes.

“Bad business,” says the Raider star. We can try to surmise what the tweet is about. Most probably, he’s directing his ire at the negotiations he feels aren’t really happening at the office.

Bad business

— Josh Jacobs (@iAM_JoshJacobs) June 20, 2023

Richie Incognito, one of Jacobs’ former blockers with the Raiders, knew what the tailback was talking about. He replied to the Josh Jacobs tweet: “Pay that man.”

Ian Rapoport, a senior reporter with NFL Network, assessed what was going on with a handful of NFL running backs who received the franchise tag from their teams back in March. The Raiders did so to Josh Jacobs. The Giants placed the tag on Saquon Barkley and the Cowboys also gave the deal to Tony Pollard.

Rapoport said that “definitive talks” are back on with Barkley, And he said it’s the same situation with Jacobs.

“You can’t ignore the fact that Josh Jacobs tweeted ‘bad business’ while talks are going on,” Rapoport said. Still plenty of time, these deals rarely get gone before the deadline.”

So what’s that deadline? It’s July 17. A player either has a renegotiated contract by then or he plays out the season for the tag salary. And that salary is the average of the five highest-paid players at that position. For running backs it’s $10.091 million. That sounds like a nice chunk of change til you realize running backs, by average, are the lowest paid position in the NFL. The only position they could look down on are kickers/punters ($5.39 million). No wonder the likes of Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley are irritated at the negotiating situation.

Franchise tag salaries, by position

• Quarterback: $32.416 million
• Running back: $10.091 million
• Wide receiver: $19.743 million
• Tight end: $11.345 million
• Offensive line: $18.244 million
• Defensive end: $19.727 million
• Defensive tackle: $18.937 million
• Linebacker: $20.926 million
• Cornerback: $18.14 million
• Safety: $14.46 million
• Kicker/punter: $5.393 million

Josh Jacobs has a good argument for desiring more money and appreciation from the Raiders. Vegas drafted Jacobs, the former Alabama star, with the 24th pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. He’s been on fire since he arrived. He led the league in rushing with 1.653 yards and rushing yards per game, coming in at a hair under 100. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry. So that’s nearly a first down after every carries. Jacobs’ yards from scrimmage total = 2.053 yards. And he touched the ball 393 yards. Yes, Jacobs was a vital part, and probably most consistant player, of the Raiders offense.

Raiders fans are a passionate lot and appreciate team history. No doubt, they approved of Jacobs achievements comparing comparably to Marcus Allen. Jacobs was the first Raiders back to win a rushing title since Allen did so in 1985. And those two are the only players in Raiders history to hit 2,000 yards from scrimmage in a season, plus have ay least five games with 140 yards and a touchdown.

And then there’s this stat — Josh Jacobs has eclipsed 1,000 yards in three of his four seasons. He was a first team All-Pro selection last year. Not bad, not bad at all. He hasn’t participated in Raiders OTAs or the main mini camp as a protest.

So again, Josh Jacobs and the Raiders have until July 17 to work out a full deal. Or else, Jacobs plays out his final season with the team.