NFL Rumors: Las Vegas Raiders Running Back May Hold Out Into Regular Season

The Las Vegas Raiders appear to be in a cold war with their biggest star. According to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Podcast, All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs could hold out into training camp and even into the regular season if progress isn't made on an extension.

🗣️ @TomPelissero

Would @dalvincook fit with the #TakeFlight – he seems to think so but does it make sense? The @nflnetwork insider explained:#NFL pic.twitter.com/pYyCohGc9d
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) June 27, 2023

"The one that nobody's talking about is Josh Jacobs, the reigning NFL rushing champion," Pelissero said. "At this point if there's not a long-term deal, I don't anticipate Josh Jacobs being there at the start of training camp and I don't know that he shows up Week 1."

The Raiders placed the franchise tag on Jacobs following a spectacular 2022 regular season in which he led the league in rushing yards (1653) and yards from scrimmage (2053). He's set to earn $10.091 million on a one-year deal.

Given Jacobs' incredible season and the short shelf life for his position, it's no surprise he's frustrated with his current contract situation, but such is life for an NFL running back. Only six backs in the league are earning more per year than the franchise tag offers, and one of them (Joe Mixon) is a constant subject of cut speculation.

Coming off a career season, Jacobs's value can't get any higher. Unfortunately for him, the market for running backs is worse than it has ever been; big-money deals at the position may simply be a thing of the past. It's a passing league; the top earners at running back, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara, are arguably the two best receivers out of the backfield in the league.

Unless a team is willing to wow the Raiders with a trade offer, Jacobs may be stuck. Even another huge season would likely only earn him a second franchise tag. It may take another herculean performance for the Raiders (or any team, for that matter) to deem Jacobs worthy of the money he likely feels he deserves.