The Las Vegas Raiders failed to reach the playoffs in 2022, but one offensive star had his best season in the NFL.

Jacobs led the league with 1,653 yards (career-high) and was tied for third with 12 rushing scores. However, Jacobs is an unrestricted free agent so he will undoubtedly have suitors for his services.

On Monday, Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team released a piece on the top franchise tag candidates for 2023. After his big year, it was no surprise that Jacobs was on the list.

Meirov on Jacobs franchise tag situation:

"The new Las Vegas Raiders regime declined Josh Jacobs’ fifth-year option, which was worth about $8 million last offseason. The former first-round pick turned around and had a league-leading 1,653 rushing yards and 2,053 yards from scrimmage in his first season with coach Josh McDaniels.

"Las Vegas could tag him and pay the extra $2 million to bring him back – but keep in mind Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler came from the New England Patriots, where they almost never put significant money into running backs. The free-agent RB class and draft class are super deep, which the Raiders might factor into their decision."

The nugget from Meirov about Raiders' general manager Dave Ziegler is what stands out here. He spent his first three seasons with the Patriots as their assistant director of pro scouting before becoming the director of player personnel in 2016, holding that position in the organization through the 2021 season.

Over that time, the Patriots were frugal with their spending at the running back position. As a team, the Patriots never spent more than $12.3 million on running backs, going as low as $4.1 million in Ziegler's first campaign in the director of player personnel role. Also, the Patriots didn't go over $4.6 million annually on any running back except for James White in 2019 and 2020.

Last season was Ziegler's first with the Raiders as their general manager, and his training with the Patriots showed by declining the fifth-year option for Jacobs. So, the philosophy taught to Ziegler by the Patriots could rear its ugly head again and force Jacobs to hit the open market this offseason.

Jacobs has turned into one of the better running backs in the NFL, and regardless of the devaluing of the position over the last few years, the Raiders would be wise to try and keep him. But with Ziegler's schooling in New England, it may be more difficult than some think.

Feature image via Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports