Las Vegas Raiders cannot extend running back Josh Jacobs

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 10: A detail shot of the flag of the Philippines on the back of the helmet of Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 10, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 10: A detail shot of the flag of the Philippines on the back of the helmet of Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 10, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

A fan favorite of Raider Nation, Josh Jacobs is in the midst of a dominant season. However, the Raiders must not extend him this off-season.

Following the trade of Khalil Mack, the Raiders had three first-round picks. While two of them didn’t turn out the way Raiders fans had hoped, former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs has been exceptional so far.

With over 1,000 yards rushing in his first two seasons to go along with 19 touchdowns, he has been a reliable force in the backfield. In 2022, he has enjoyed perhaps his best season yet. Averaging over five yards per carry en route to 490 rushing yards. The rushing total places him third in the league only behind Nick Chubb and Saquon Barkley.

While Jacobs is currently playing the best football of his career, Las Vegas finds itself in a tough spot. Over the 2022 off-season, the new front office elected not to pick up Jacobs’s fifth-year option. This makes him a free agent at season’s end which, due to his level of play, puts the Raiders in a bind.

Despite this, the Silver and Black cannot afford to give their starting running back a long-term contract extension.

Raiders: Extending running backs never work

While NFL running backs are often some of the most talented players on the team, they rarely get compensated fairly for their efforts. Despite being asked to carry the ball 200+ times, be a factor in the passing game, and block, there are simply too many viable ball carriers in the sport. Even the Raiders have two other running backs they are confident in with Zamir White and Brandon Bolden.

Not only are there many options, but the positions past also creates fear in the eyes of potential buyers. The list of failed extensions is a lengthy one with teams immediately regretting the contracts handed out to the likes of Leveon Bell and even Ezekiel Elliott. Not only have these contracts handicapped the teams that handed them out but the players have declined in quality. Even the contracts handed to Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, and Dalvin Cook have not been smooth sailing.

In addition, the Raiders simply cannot afford to make this move. After handing out big money to Derek Carr, Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, and Darren Waller in 2022, it is imperative that Las Vegas focuses on its defense.

Through no fault of his own, Jacobs will have to play somewhere else in 2023. A highly talented ball carrier, his position, and the Raiders salary cap situation make him expendable. Fortunately, it appears that general manager Dave Ziegler is already planning for this reality as he drafted Zamir White on day three.

A talented player in his own right, Las Vegas will squeeze all they can from Jacobs before handing the reigns over to White for the foreseeable future.