NFL rumors: Should Raiders hit full reset by trading away star?

The Raiders and Josh Jacobs don’t sound close on negotiating an extension to keep him in Las Vegas. A trade has to be on the table.

Four years ago, the Raiders spent a late first-round pick on Josh Jacobs. The Alabama star returned well on investment, rushing for 1,000 yards in three of his first four seasons in the league, including a 1,650-yard, 12-touchdown campaign in 2022.

Coming off an All-Pro season, Jacobs is looking for a payday with a lucrative extension from the team that drafted him. There’s just one big problem: The Raiders may not be willing to pay.

Las Vegas put the franchise tag on Jacobs but the running back has not signed his $10-million tender. Paloma Villicana of FOX 5 Vegas cited a source saying he does not intend to report for training camp if a deal on an extension isn’t reached.

If the Raiders and Jacob aren’t on the page, the team has to be thinking about a trade.

NFL rumors: Raiders trading Josh Jacobs makes sense

Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report included a believable Raiders scenario in his bold predictions going into training camp: They trade Jacobs to the Jets.

"The Raiders don’t seem eager to sign Jacobs at a premium price. If that’s the case, the two sides may explore trade options…None of the Raiders running backs have come close to matching Jacobs’ recent productivity, but McDaniels may revert to a running back by committee approach as he’s done in New England. In the event that happens, a team in the market for a running back may have an enticing offer for Jacobs."

It makes a lot of sense, especially if Moton’s assertion that Vegas could get a Day 2 pick in return for the running back.

Committing $10 million to a running back is already a major investment and paying him more than that per year as his value only decreases isn’t the savviest move.

Just look at Dalvin Cook. At 25 years old, he posted his career-best campaign with 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns. His efficiency has only gone down each year in the two seasons since, resulting in the Vikings cutting him.

That’s not to say all running backs drop their production after 25. It’s just that it’s not that hard to find value at the position through the draft.

By and large, the most competitive teams in the league aren’t paying premiums at the running back position.