Las Vegas Raiders: New contract could make Josh Jacobs a franchise all-time great

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 02: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs the ball in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 02: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs the ball in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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The Las Vegas Raiders seem to be leaning towards bringing Josh Jacobs back on a new deal, and more time with the franchise could lead to him being an all-time great.

To say the 2022 NFL season was a big one for Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs would be an understatement. Going into the season, the franchise decided to decline his fifth-year option, and he even made an appearance in the Hall of Fame Game.

That game is a showcase for mostly players who will have no big impact on the team during the regular season and is mostly comprised of guys who may not even make the final cut. But there was No. 28, running the ball, something that is certain to never happen again in his NFL career.

After the preseason, it was clear Jacobs had a chip on his shoulder and was ready to absolutely dominate the NFL landscape. When all was said and done, Jacobs led the entire NFL in rushing yards, and yards from scrimmage, becoming the only player in the league to finish with over 2,000 yards total.

It was the kind of season that will net him a big payday this offseason, and hopefully, he will be back in the Silver and Black in 2023. If he does return on a new deal, he could end up being an all-time Raiders great before he is done playing.

Raiders have to bring back Jacobs in 2023 and beyond

With his strong showing in 2022, Jacobs is already top 5 all-time in Raiders history in rushing yards, and needs only 53 more in 2023 to pass Napoleon Kaufman for No. 4 on the list. In fact, rushing for a little under 1,200 yards next season would rise him to No. 2 all-time, with the great Marcus Allen having a commanding lead over the rest of the group.

There is already noise that the team could use the franchise tag on Jacobs, then eventually give him a long-term deal. He will still only be 25 years old during the 2023 NFL season, so he has at least another four good years in him before he approaches the magic number of his age-30 season.

Jacobs earned the right to finish his career in the Silver and Black based on his play last season, and has shown a desire to stay with the Raiders for the foreseeable future. There will be plenty of changes to the Raiders roster this offseason, but hopefully, Jacobs won’t be one of them.