Raiders' Josh Jacobs Says There Are 'No Hard Feelings' After Signing New Contract

The holdout from Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs resulted in a reworked one-year deal worth up to $12 million, a raise on the $10 million franchise tag the team used on him this offseason.

For Jacobs, the entire contract standoff is now water under the bridge.

"I mean, s--t, we here. I mean, I feel like we made it happen," he told reporters Wednesday. "So, it ain't no hard feelings now. I feel like I said, 'We made it happen' so it's a clean slate with me. It was never really like no hate on each side. But at the same time I understood my value, too. It was just about meeting in the middle."

Jacobs' reworked deal mirrored that of Saquon Barkley, who also received additional incentives that could take him past the franchise tag the New York Giants used on him this offseason.

And it represented an overall trend at the position this offseason—as the running back market continues to be be depressed, teams are unwilling to offer long-term extensions at the position.

Instead, one-year deals have been the norm, with Jacobs and Barkley joined by Dalvin Cook (one-year deal worth up to $8.6 million with the New York Jets) and Ezekiel Elliott (one-year deal worth up to $6 million with the New England Patriots).

If any of those backs was going to earn a longer-term deal, Jacobs would have been the obvious choice. Not only is he coming off a season that saw him lead the NFL in rushing (1,653 yards) and put up 12 touchdowns, he's also just 25 years old and has only missed six games in his four-year career, including none last season.

He's also exceeded 1,000 rushing yards in three of his four campaigns and has put up double-digit touchdowns twice.

"I understand the position and market and things like that, but I don't feel like everybody is included in that category," Jacobs told reporters. "I feel like it's five guys that are like the guys for their teams, and you got to figure it out for both parties."

Granted, the two-time Pro Bowler isn't the level of playmaker in the passing game that a Barkley, Christian McCaffrey or Austin Ekeler have been in their respective careers. But he was the focal point of Las Vegas' offense last season, and alongside Davante Adams is one of two stars on that side of the ball for the Raiders.

With a game-manager at quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo, the team is likely to lean heavily on Jacobs yet again in 2023. And given his pending free agency yet again next offseason, he'll have every incentive to put up a second consecutive All-Pro campaign.

"You just bet on yourself, man," Jacobs said. "I say it all the time, but I truly believe in it: If you just come in and you work and you do what you're supposed to every day and work every day, everything else will take care of itself."