Henderson, NV – Running back Josh Jacobsfresh off his first career NFL title heading toward free agency, said Monday during lockercleaning day that he’d like to return to the Las Vegas Raiders next season if he and the team can agree on a contract.
“To me, it should make sense,” he said, referring to a possible new contract, meaning dollars and cents.
’ But obviously that’s where I want to be. Coming in, I remember sitting with [defensive end] Max [Crosby] And all of these guys and they talk about the Raiders organization, the culture, and the desire to be part of the change. I still feel that way, and I hope to come back.”
While Crosby was a fourth-round pick in 2019 and signed a four-year, $99 million extension last spring, Jacobs was the second of three first-round draft picks in 2019, 24th overall, after a defensive end. Clean FerrellWho was in fourth place and before safety Jonathan Abramwho went 27.
None of them had their options for the fifth year that new Raiders system selected general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels last season. Despite this, Jacobs responded with a career year, even as the team faltered and finished 6-11 after a year going to the playoffs with a 10-7 record.
In rushing for 1,653 yards, Jacobs became the first Raiders player to lead the league in rushing since Marcus Allen He ran for 1,759 yards in his NFL MVP season of 1985. He is the third in franchise history to accomplish the feat as Clem Daniels led the NFL with 1,099 yards in 1963.
Jacobs, who was selected to his second career Pro Bowl, also led the NFL with 93 rushing first touchdowns and 2,053 scrimmage yards.
However, Jacobs downplayed personal accomplishments.
“I mean, I think it feels good,” he said. “I don’t really feel any different. It’s obviously a testament to the team and the players who’ve helped me along the way. So it’s definitely gratifying to be able to experience it with them. But for me, personally, it’s just, whatever. Really.”
Meanwhile, McDaniels seemed confident of returning Jacobs to the team.
“JJ’s performance was obviously a big bright spot for us,” said McDaniels. “I have an enormous amount of respect and admiration for him as a person and as a player and he kind of embodies all the things we want a Raider to be.
“Dave and I have talked about it; JJ and I have had private conversations about these kinds of things. I think it will all work out in time. But I love him and I would love for him to continue being a Ryder.”
It was a mutual admiration community two days after the Raiders’ season ended with a 31-13 loss to the AFC West champion and top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs.
Jacobs referred to the coach who pulled him out of Alabama four years ago.
“clearly, [Jon] “Gruden is a great football mind, but these guys, you guys, just take it to another level when it comes to the way they explain things and the way they take advantage of some players,” Jacobs said. Terminology and then taking it and putting it a little bit on it, it’s definitely been fun.
“The way we work, [this is] Definitely the best workgroup I’ve been around since I was in the NFL. It’s just about putting the little pieces together at the moment, figuring out what those little pieces are, defining each player’s role and trying to get that right.”
Jacobs would probably prefer a multi-year contract. But if the Raiders choose to put a one-year franchise tag on him, OverTheCap.com expects a relatively modest $10.1 million for repeating next season, a number sure to rise when the 2023 salary cap is announced.
Coupled with a decision coming on Jacobs, it’s all but the certainty of that quarterback Derek Carr, a team player since his rookie season in 2014 and holder of most franchise passing records, will not return after being benched with two games to play. He has been away from the team by “mutual” decision for the past two weeks.
Jacobs was asked about his stance with Carr.
“The most important thing I took away from Derek is that he’s just such a wonderful person,” Jacobs said. “Derek and I have gone to church a few times together and things like that and just seeing him so loving and supportive, that’s the thing I’m going to take the most from him. He’s just an amazing guy, really.”