American football quarterback Aidan James O’Connell plays quarterback for the National Football League’s Las Vegas Raiders. He was a Purdue University football player.
The Las Vegas Raiders have a lot of important decisions to make, but there has been a lot of attention focused on what they might do at quarterback this summer. Choosing what to do with running back Josh Jacobs is one of the most important.
It’s improbable that he’ll be given the franchise tag once more because the organization would have to guarantee him at least $14 million in salary for the next campaign. Many teams should be intrigued if Jacobs tests free agency. According to ESPN’s Matt Bowen, the running back might be a fantastic fit for the Dallas Cowboys.
In a column published on February 20, Bowen stated, “The Cowboys could pivot to Jacobs with the expectation Tony Pollard does not return to Dallas.” With his low pad level to finish runs and his agility to cause defenders to miss, he has been a volume grinder for the Raiders. Dak Prescott may also use Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing in 2022, as a receiving option on swings, screens, and under.
The Cowboys were ninth in the NFL in rushing in 2022 but fell to 14th in 2023. Tony Pollard could be on the way out so running back is a big need in Dallas. Jacobs is from Tulsa, Oklahoma, so Dallas is much closer to home. It could be an appealing spot for him if the Raiders decide against bringing him back.
Josh Jacobs is still only 26 so there should be teams interested in giving him a multi-year contract. It might help the Raiders that he’s coming off a down season. He had a career-low 805 rushing yards and missed four games with injury. His 2024 season could scare other teams off from giving him a big contract.
For a star running back, Spotrac’s market value of $10.6 million each season makes sense. If the Raiders could get him closer to $8 million a year, though, they might like it more. He’s been a great fan of Antonio Pierce and has said that he would like to return. Additionally, the coach is a big fan of Jacobs, so he could pressure the front staff to hold onto him. It will be fascinating to observe the situation.
