The Raiders are planning to place their franchise tag on Josh Jacobs ahead of next week’s deadline barring an agreement with the star running back on a new deal, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Friday.
Teams have until March 7 to utilize their franchise tag, giving Las Vegas another four days to work with Jacobs, 27, on a potential extension. If the two sides don’t reach an agreement and Jacobs receives the tag, the 2022 All-Pro would play out the upcoming season on a one-year, $10.091 million tender–the standard amount for all franchise-tagged running backs in 2023.
While playing on the tag would not be ideal for Jacobs, there’s a chance the NFL’s leading rusher could still sign a long-term deal before the season. Las Vegas would have until July 15 to ink Jacobs to a long-term deal, or risk losing him next offseason in free agency unless they decide to tag him for a second offseason.
Initially tabbed as one of the top names in this year’s free agent class, Jacobs is coming off a career year, which came on the heels of the Raiders’ decision to notably decline his fifth-year option prior to the ’22 campaign. Jacobs went on to earn his first career All-Pro and second Pro Bowl nods after racking up a league-high 1,653 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns on 340 carries, and 2,053 total scrimmage yards.
