Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Jacobs reportedly turned down lucrative deal from Raiders

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 7/28/23

After leading the NFL in rushing last season, Josh Jacobs appears to be digging his heels in and calling the Las Vegas Raiders’ bluff in his search for a new, fair-value contract.

The two sides failed to reach a deal by the July 17 franchise tag deadline, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, who recently disclosed on an episode of “The Rich Eisen Show” that the Raiders offered the 25-year-old breakout star a contract that would have made him one of the five highest-paid RBs in the NFL.

"My understanding — Josh Jacobs got an offer from the Raiders around $12M per year," Garafolo said.

While the current market for running backs is diminishing, Jacobs is banking on the Raiders realizing he’s not easily replaceable. It’s not known exactly what dollar figure Jacobs is seeking, his projected market value is $12.8M per season, per Spotrac.

Let’s see them do it then
— Josh Jacobs (@iAM_JoshJacobs) July 27, 2023

The Athletic’s Vic Tafur reported that a reasonable contract for Jacobs would have given him approximately $22.3M in guaranteed money, but the Raiders’ offer never got that high.

For comparison, fellow franchise-tagged RB Saquon Barkley, who was in the same boat as Jacobs in terms of seeking a long-term deal, agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $11M with $900,000 in incentives with the New York Giants before the deadline.

“Jacobs and Barkley were in communication that final day when the deadline arrived,” Garofolo added. “My understanding is that if the same deal that the Raiders had offered Jacobs, Barkley would have taken it, but the Giants wouldn't go there."

Jacobs reportedly boarded a plane on Monday that was leaving Las Vegas after telling those close to him that he wasn’t going to report to training camp and he likely wouldn’t return to the team anytime soon.

Since he’s not under contract, Jacobs can’t be fined for missing training camp, and as long as he reports to the team facility by Vegas’ Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 10, he will collect the $10.1M salary owed to him under the franchise tag.

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