Adams: Raiders Need Jacobs For a Shot at the Title

The Las Vegas Raiders were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension with All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs last week.

Training camp begins today, and after the Las Vegas Raiders and running back Josh Jacobs failed to reach a deal on a contract extension, the league's reigning rushing champion will not be in attendance.

Nothing is yet confirmed regarding what the upcoming season will look like for Jacobs, but to Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, the All-Pro running back's role will be essential for the team to reach its ultimate goal.

"I've been talking to him," Adams said when he joined "NFL Total Access" on Friday. "We've been in his ear a little bit, just trying to coach him through this process. I've been through it a couple times myself, and I know what it's like to go back and forth about whether or not you feel appreciated. And obviously that's a big part of that position. And it's been that way for a while. ... Really valued position in the league that gets devalued by the way that the market goes.

"But I'm praying that everything works out because if we really want to have a shot at winning the Super Bowl and having all the elite aspirations that we do, we're going to need that guy, so I'm praying that we can still figure something out. But [I am] also understanding where Josh is coming from but trying to coach him through it at the same time."

As a veteran in the National Football League, Adams feels he has a duty to be there for those who need his advice and support.

"[F]or me, it's helping and providing that counsel to anybody, whether it's other guys in the league, my teammates, obviously Josh in this moment because this is not an easy time to go through," Adams said. "You go from dealing with a team that you love and you want to be a part of for your whole career, and then, when it's the business time, this is always when it kind of gets awkward. 

"It's kind of like when it's time to talk about a prenup with your lady. It's something that you never want to get to, but once you get through it, you can kind of just put it to bed and everybody can carry on with their business. So, I'm hoping that's what happens, like I said, so that we can just kind of put everything behind us and start focusing on what's to come."

The Las Vegas Raiders open training camp for the entire team on July 25, 2023.

The Silver and Black open the preseason by hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. PDT.

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