The Las Vegas Raiders squared off against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday for the annual Hall of Fame game. Some rumors about running back Josh Jacobs have surfaced since then.
It is not a secret that the Las Vegas Raiders declined to sign running back Josh Jacobs to his fifth-year option, which comes with every first-round draft pick contract.
Jacobs has been the most productive member out of the three first-round picks the Raiders selected in 2019 (Johnathan Abram, Clelin Ferrell) yet he joined the other two in failing to get inked to that fifth-year option.
After Josh Jacobs participated in the Hall of Fame game on Thursday a rumor surfaced that Jacobs was all but traded.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs, with a guaranteed salary of $2.122 million in his contract year, seems destined to be traded, at some point. https://t.co/7hNY0qBfgs
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 7, 2022
Here is some clarity on why he is not going to be traded.
The Las Vegas Raiders won’t be trading RB Josh Jacobs
Reason #1: The Hall of Fame Game
When the Hall of Fame game kicked off on Thursday against the Jaguars it was a surprise to many that Jacobs was starting and heavily involved at the beginning of the contest.
Jacobs ended the night with 30 rushing yards on five attempts and two receptions for 14 yards. Jacobs was in fine form with three forced missed tackles, an average of 3.2 yards after contact, and an average of 6.0 yards per carry.
Jacobs was placed into a role that most veteran players don’t find themselves in; starting during a meaningless preseason game. If it affected Jacobs he didn’t show it.
Instead, he appeared locked in, explosive, and ready to compete. His stat line was excellent for only playing in two drives and Jacobs showed the coaching staff that he will put it all out on the field regardless of his status on the team.