Josh Jacobs Ends Holdout, Returns to Raiders

The former Alabama running back has held out for a new contract all offseason, now he has it, and he'll return to the team.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide running back Josh Jacobs, the 2022 NFL rushing king, is set to return to the Las Vegas Raiders for the upcoming season. 

Jacobs even said as much on social media with a succinct message: “I’m back."

One of numerous premier running backs to be upset with the position group being underpaid, and viewed as not being a priority despite the physical toll they take, Jacobs had been adamant that he wouldn't play on the NFL's franchise tag, which was applied by the Raiders when the two sides couldn't agree on terms for a contract extension before the July 17 deadline. 

Under the current labor agreement, the tag would have paid Jacobs approximately $10.09 million, but then the Raiders would have had the option to apply the tag again in 2024, for roughly $12.1 million.

According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the two sides came to agreement on a new one-year contract for the 2023 season on Saturday, which will end the running back's holdout. 

The deal is expected to be worth up to $12 million, and similar to the one Saquon Barkley signed with the New York Giants (one year, $10.09 million guaranteed contract with a $2 million signing bonus).

The Raiders close their preseason schedule tonight at the Dallas Cowboys. They open the regular season Sept. 10 at the Denver Broncos. 

Jacobs had 1,488 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns during his time at Alabama. Jacobs also contributed 581 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns at Alabama.

Jacobs was a first-round draft choice by the Raiders in 2019 but had his fifth-year option declined by the franchise for 2023. He responded by leading the NFL in rushing yards in 2022 with 1,653 yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns. 

During his four-year career with the Raiders, Jacobs has 4,740 rushing yards and 40 rushing touchdowns. 

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