Raiders Rumors: Josh Jacobs, LV Haven't Started 'Meaningful' Contract Negotiations

The Las Vegas Raiders reportedly have yet to ramp up contract talks with All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs after placing the franchise tag on him this month.

According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, the Raiders have "not started meaningful negotiations" on a long-term deal, although they have until July to get one done.

If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, Jacobs is in line to make about $10.1 million in 2023 under the franchise tag.

Tafur noted that Raiders owner Mark Davis thinks the world of Jacobs, as evidenced by his recent comments regarding the star running back:

"Josh is phenomenal. He was the heart of our team last year. There is no question about it in my mind. He came to play every day and is a tough, tough, tough guy. I am just really proud of him.

"He was a Raider. If we had 22 Josh Jacobses, with that mentality … that guy is just amazing."

The Raiders originally selected Jacobs with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft out of Alabama when Jon Gruden was head coach. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons and was named a Pro Bowler in 2020, but it wasn't until last season that Jacobs reached his true potential.

With offensive guru Josh McDaniels installed as head coach, Jacobs set a career high with a league-leading 1,653 rushing yards. He also averaged a career-best 4.9 yards per carry and tied his career high with 12 rushing touchdowns.

Jacobs was a factor in the passing game as well, catching 53 passes for a career-high 400 yards.

Much was expected out of Las Vegas' passing game last season following the acquisition of superstar wide receiver Davante Adams from the Green Bay Packers, and while Adams was excellent, Jacobs largely made the offense go.

The Raiders have made some major offensive changes this offseason, releasing quarterback Derek Carr and trading tight end Darren Waller, while signing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.

During his time with the San Francisco 49ers, Garoppolo thrived most when the Niners' running game was firing on all cylinders, which suggests the Raiders will be committed to the run again in 2023.

NFL teams typically don't invest huge money in running backs anymore, although there are a few notable exceptions.

In terms of average salary, Jacobs will be the eighth-highest-paid running back in the NFL in 2023 if he plays under the franchise tag, along with fellow tagged running backs in Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants and Tony Pollard of the Dallas Cowboys.

Per Spotrac, Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers has the highest average annual value among running backs at $16.015 million, followed by Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints at $15 million. No other running back makes as much as $13 million annually.

Given that Jacobs only recently turned 25 years old, he could potentially slot in as the third-highest-paid running back in the NFL behind Kamara on a three- or four-year deal if he and the Raiders can reach an agreement.