Former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs was on a mission in the 2022 NFL regular season. The Las Vegas Raiders declined his fifth-year option and he played like he was ready to hit free agency.
Now, he may not hit free agency at all. The Raiders could franchise tag the star running back and Bill Barnwell of ESPN expects this to be the case.
“(Jacobs) is still only 25, and while it’s tough to count on any back to stay healthy for 340 carries on a year-to-year basis, we do occasionally see backs break through at this point of their career and continue to play at a high level for several seasons to come, with Derrick Henry and Marshawn Lynch as examples.
Pricing out that deal might be tough, if only because the Raiders have a team-friendly fallback option with the franchise tag. General manager Dave Ziegler & Co. could pay Jacobs $10.1 million in 2023 and $12.1 million in 2024 with two franchise tags, which is only a little more than what he might expect to get as the guaranteed money on a multi-year deal.”
If he does get the opportunity to test the market, many would consider him to be the best available running back. The Raiders would be wise to not let him go elsewhere, but it would be interesting to see him perform in a more well-rounded offense.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover Jacobs and other former Alabama players in the NFL as the 2023 offseason continues.
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