Report: Raiders to Tag RB Josh Jacobs If No Deal in Place

The star running back led the NFL in rushing yards last season.

The Raiders are reportedly planning to place their franchise tag on Josh Jacobs ahead of next week’s deadline barring an agreement with the star running back on a new deal, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Friday. 

Teams have until March 7 to utilize their franchise tag, giving Las Vegas another four days to work with Jacobs, 27, on a potential extension. If the two sides don’t reach an agreement and Jacobs receives the tag, the 2022 All-Pro would play out the upcoming season on a one-year, $10.091 million tender–the standard amount for all franchise-tagged running backs in 2023.

While playing on the tag would not be ideal for Jacobs, there’s a chance the NFL’s leading rusher could still sign a long-term deal before the season. Las Vegas would have until July 15 to ink Jacobs to a long-term deal, or risk losing him next offseason in free agency unless they decide to tag him for a second offseason.

Initially tabbed as one of the top names in this year’s free agent class, Jacobs is coming off a career year, which came on the heels of the Raiders’ decision to notably decline his fifth-year option prior to the ’22 campaign. Jacobs went on to earn his first career All-Pro and second Pro Bowl nods after racking up a league-high 1,653 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns on 340 carries, and 2,053 total scrimmage yards.