Running back Josh Jacobs reportedly left Las Vegas on Monday, and he has yet to report to training camp. However, are the Raiders and head coach Josh McDaniels pushing the Pro Bowler away?
Former NFL general manager and CBS Sports contributor Rick Spielman questioned the HC's commitment to the 25-year-old.
"I truly don't know if Josh McDaniels wants Josh Jacobs on that roster," Spielman said Tuesday on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
"I truly don't know if Josh McDaniels wants Josh Jacobs on that roster."@Spielman_Rick explains why the Josh Jacobs contract situation is different from Saquon Barkley.
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) July 25, 2023
VIDEO | #Raiders | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/lP2aaCcc8T
Las Vegas has overhauled its roster under McDaniels, who's entering his second season as Raiders HC. The organization released longtime quarterback Derek Carr and dealt tight end Darren Waller to the New York Giants this offseason.
Since Jacobs has yet to sign his franchise tag (a one-year,$10.1M contract), the Raiders could cut ties and rescind it, allowing him to hit free agency.
Despite significant changes, the theory that McDaniels wants to move on from Jacobs is far-fetched, especially after he led the league in rushing last season (1,653 yards). Furthermore, McDaniels indicated he wants Jacobs to return soon.
"I respect [Jacobs] tremendously, have a great deal of respect for him as a player, as a person, what he did for our team last year," McDaniels said in a Tuesday news conference. "And I look forward to seeing him whenever he's here, and I respect that process, too."
Jacobs reporting to camp is unlikely. Per Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports, he plans to hold out through the preseason. To resolve the situation, the Raiders should add incentives to his franchise tender and promise they won't tag him again if he's among the league's rushing leaders.
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