According to sources, the Las Vegas Raiders are planning to use the franchise tag on Josh Jacobs, their impending free-agent running back, if the two sides fail to reach a contract extension by Tuesday’s deadline. Jacobs, who was the NFL’s leading rusher in 2022, is considered a key part of the Raiders’ future plans. The 25-year-old had an exceptional season, rushing for 1,653 yards on 340 carries and scoring 12 touchdowns, earning him the distinction of being the most valuable running back in the league.
Despite the Raiders declining to pick up his fifth-year option for the 2023 season, Jacobs was determined to prove his worth in the 2022 season and did so with an outstanding performance. His efforts have secured his place in the team’s future plans, and the franchise tag may be used as a way to keep him in Las Vegas for the foreseeable future.
The franchise tag is a mechanism that allows teams to keep a player on a one-year contract at a higher salary than the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position. For the Raiders, the use of the franchise tag on Jacobs would provide a short-term solution to his contract situation while they work towards a longer-term deal.
Jacobs’ performance in 2022 has made him a highly sought-after player in the NFL, and his success in the league has not gone unnoticed by fantasy football enthusiasts. He is expected to be a high-end RB1 in fantasy drafts for the 2023 season, making him a valuable asset for any team that drafts him.
Overall, Jacobs’ future with the Las Vegas Raiders appears to be bright, and while negotiations for a longer-term deal continue, the franchise tag provides a means for the team to retain their star running back for the upcoming season.