NFL Expert Suggests Shocking Josh Jacobs Trade
Josh Jacobs is coming off a spectacular season. He was a first-time All-Pro, leading the league in rushing yards with 1,653. Jacobs also led the NFL in total scrimmage yards with 2,053. Despite the elite production, the Raiders still do not seem ready to commit to Jacobs long-term. Last offseason, the Raiders declined his fifth-year […]
Josh Jacobs is coming off a spectacular season. He was a first-time All-Pro, leading the league in rushing yards with 1,653. Jacobs also led the NFL in total scrimmage yards with 2,053.
Despite the elite production, the Raiders still do not seem ready to commit to Jacobs long-term.
Last offseason, the Raiders declined his fifth-year option. This offseason, Jacobs received the franchise tag from the Raiders. If he signed it, he would make $10.1 million next year. However, Jacob has made it clear that his preference is to sign a long-term extension instead.
As we rapidly approach training camp, the pressure is mounting for the two sides to agree to a deal. If no agreement is reached by July 15th, Jacobs has two options. Either play on the franchise tag or sit out the season and forfeit his pay.
If the Raiders believe they will be unable to agree to a deal with Jacobs, trading him may be best for the team. An NFL expert at CBS recently played matchmaker with some running backs who could be on the move and had a very bold perdition for where Jacobs may end up:
Proposed contract: 3 years, $39 million
Here's a curveball for you. We doubt the Raiders would prefer to trade their franchise player inside the division, but Denver's new coach, Sean Payton, gushed about Jacobs earlier this offseason, paid decent money for starting RBs in New Orleans, and could use downhill insurance as Javonte Williams returns from injury, with newcomer Samaje Perine better suited for No. 2 duties. Las Vegas could simply rescind the franchise tag if it knows Jacobs is committed to netting a bigger deal elsewhere, allowing the Raiders' quasi-Patriots regime to save an instant $10M and revert to a RB-by-committee approach.
Getting rid of Jacobs would already take a toll on the fanbase, but trading him to a division rival would be brutal. Inter-division trades are infrequent in the NFL, especially when it's a star player like Jacobs. However, if it comes to a place where the Raiders feel they are best off trading Jacobs, they may take the best offer that comes to them.
Featured Image via: © Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
