Raiders' Josh Jacobs on Potentially Playing on Franchise Tag: 'Hero Turned Villain'

It appears Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs does not want to play the 2023 season on the franchise tag.

When asked Saturday if Jacobs would have an issue with being franchise-tagged if he and the Raiders are unable to strike an agreement on a new contract, he responded: "Hero turned villain."

Jacobs also said he expects contract negotiations with the Raiders to begin next week.

Jacobs added that he wants to stay with the Raiders but that the two sides have yet to have conversations.

The Raiders selected Jacobs in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Alabama, and he went on to have an impressive rookie season, rushing for 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games en route to finishing second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.

Jacobs followed it up with an even more impressive 2020 season, rushing for 1,065 yards and 12 touchdowns in 15 games en route to his first-ever Pro Bowl selection.

The 24-year-old's numbers took a dip in 2021 as he rushed for 872 yards and nine scores in 15 games, but he bounced back with another Pro Bowl-worthy performance in 2022, rushing for a career-high 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns in 17 games. He also earned an All-Pro selection this season.

If Jacobs and the Raiders are unable to reach a deal, the team could place the $10 million franchise tag on him, which would be way below his actual value as one of the best running backs in the NFL.

If the Raiders place the franchise tag on Jacobs, he could opt to hold out, which wouldn't be ideal for the Raiders. So, Las Vegas should just find a way to pay their star player.

That said, the Raiders could also opt to start over at running back and replace Jacobs via the draft as Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs will be the top players available at the position on the board this spring.

Christian McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott, Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook and Derrick Henry are among the highest-paid running backs in the league. Jacobs should be included in that category on his next deal, whether it be with the Raiders or elsewhere.