The NFL Scouting Combine is here and that means all the coaches and decision-makers across the league are together in one place. This is a week where we usually learn some things about the team heading into free agency and the rest of the offseason.
One storyline that hasn’t been discussed enough is if the Raiders intend to give Josh Jacobs the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. According to OverTheCap.com, the fifth-year option for Jacobs would be worth $10.1 million in 2023.
So what does Josh McDaniels think about giving his Pro Bowl running back that option? He was asked about it by Vic Tafur of The Athletic:
Asked McDaniels about Josh Jacobs and picking up the 5th-year option. #Raiders pic.twitter.com/DHddoPCfBM
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 2, 2022
McDaniels went on to praise Jacobs but did not say the team would pick up his extension or not. That is to be expected as that will ultimately be Dave Ziegler’s decision. Still, it’s an important one for the Raiders as Jacobs enters his fourth year in the NFL.
Considering how running backs almost never return value on big deals like that, the Raiders might be wise to decline the option and work on an extension at a lower number. That way, the Raiders can protect themselves long-term and Jacobs could get some more guaranteed money beyond just the 2023 season.
Jacobs has now posted three straight seasons of at least 1,200 yards from scrimmage and has scored at least seven touchdowns. He was picked at No. 24 by the Raiders in the 2019 NFL Draft and has since totaled 3,839 yards in 43 games with the team.
