The Las Vegas Raiders refused to extend franchise-tagged star Josh Jacobs this offseason, rejecting the opportunity before this week’s deadline as they left him hanging in the parking lot. And it’s now being reported that they could break ties with him entirely.
Jacobs was the leading rusher in the NFL last season, yet it appears his valuation of himself is a lot higher than his team’s. Such has been the case around the league this offseason, with running back prices hitting an all-time low.
According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, the Raiders could make the RB a free agent by rescinding the tag as the rules agreed upon under the Collective Bargaining agreement allow them to do that.
Until the player accepts the one-year $10.1 million salary, the Raiders reserve the right to take it back.
Such actions are few and far between as it has only happened on three occasions in the last 20 years – the Eagles did so with linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and defensive tackle Corey Simon, while the Panthers pulled money back from cornerback Josh Norman.
Florio has suggested that the Raiders could definitely consider withdrawing the tag as the sum could be used to improve the team in other areas.
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He also noted:
“If they know Jacobs plans to skip all of training camp and the preseason, the most cold-blooded move would be to wait until every other team’s roster is set in late August before pulling the tender. At that point, Jacobs would have a very hard time getting the money he could instantly get in Las Vegas.”
The scenarios surrounding Jacobs, as well as New York Giants tailback Saquon Barkley, make for an interesting training camp period.
Should two of the best running backs sit out an entire season, it would not be a great look for the league. But it feels like something has to give one way or the other at this point.
