Raiders RB Jacobs’ Uncertain Future

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When the 2022-23 season begins, Josh Jacobs will be on the final year of his rookie deal. In his first three seasons, Jacobs has rushed for over 3000 yards, has a Pro Bowl appearance, and finished his first year as the runner-up for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Fast Start, Underwhelming After

In his first season (2019), Jacobs appeared in thirteen games but would total his career-high 1150 rushing yards. While 2020 brought two more appearances (15) and twelve touchdowns, it brought fewer rushing yards as Jacobs would finish the season with 1065, on 31 more rushes than 2019 (273 from 242). Last season, however, sent Jacobs’ career projections as a workhouse running back down a different path, as the Raiders signed Kenyan Drake, taking a major cut of Jacobs’ workload. From 2020, Jacobs recorded 872 rushing yards on 217 carries, both career lows, as the Raiders shifted more towards the passing game (Drake’s forte).

Added Receiving Element

However, when Drake went down with a season-ending ankle injury, Jacobs did step up in the passing game and recorded 348 yards on an 84 percent catch rate (both career highs). With Jacobs (and the Raiders) picking up production in the passing game, a blueprint was created to provide a path to being resigned. He may now know what he has to do, but with Drake also competing for a new contract in 2022, it could be difficult for a run-first back to thrive in this offense.

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Money Questions

There is also hesitancy around the league regarding resigning running backs in general. As far as skill players go, running backs take the most contact in the NFL. Blocking and shedding tackles alone can catalyze wear on the player, and power back like Jacobs could be experiencing more than the average. It is also becoming rarer and rarer for a running back to play in every game of the regular season, something Jacobs has yet to do, and the older they get, the less likely it becomes. The mindset of pumping and dumping a running back after his rookie deal expires can be viewed as harsh, but success in the league matters more than friendship.

On The Mark

On the contrary, Raiders owner Mark Davis has stated that he “gets too close with the players”. As a result, this creates the possibility that Jacobs does get resigned. Jacobs is a talented player, which makes this debate much more difficult to conclude. Yet, he inarguably is not the perfect scheme fit for the team. Seeing as Derek Carr continues to surpass his own career highs of passing yards, it appears the Raiders will continue emphasizing the passing game,. Under those circumstances, that cuts more of Jacobs’ usage. Josh Jacobs displays the ability to serve as a bellcow back in the NFL.  Also, the time for a significant payday draws near. However, should the Raiders provide more money to a player that may not fit the scheme?