Josh Jacobs Reportedly Waited Outside Raiders Facility Hoping to Sign New Deal

Josh Jacobs and the Raiders failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension ahead of Monday’s franchise tag deadline. However, according to reports, the two sides were extremely close to getting a deal done.

ESPN’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday that Jacobs was actually waiting in a car outside the team’s facility with teammate Maxx Crosby ahead of the 4:00 p.m. ET deadline. The report indicates that Jacobs was “ready to sign” a contract should a deal have been agreed upon, but the two sides ultimately failed to find common ground.

How close was Josh Jacobs to signing an extension with the #Raiders?

He was sitting in a car in the parking lot of the #Raiders facility with teammate Maxx Crosby at the deadline, ready to sign if it got done.

It didn’t, and now it’s unclear when the rushing champ will return. pic.twitter.com/Ex1JzR1QOt

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 17, 2023

Jacobs, who has yet to sign the $10.091 million franchise tender, is reportedly prepared to hold out of training camp as the two sides negotiate a new deal. But, because an agreement could not be reached prior to Monday’s deadline, Jacobs is only eligible for a one-year contract in 2023. The sides could resume talks over a long-term deal after the ’23 regular season.

In 2023, Jacobs was the NFL’s rushing leader, having recorded 1,693 yards on the ground alongside 12 touchdowns.

Jacobs wasn’t the only running back unable to secure a new long-term deal. Giants’ Saquon Barkley and Cowboys’ Tony Pollard, alongside Jacobs, were the only three franchised-tagged players not to sign long-term deals. 

Barkley, like Jacobs, is reportedly preparing to hold out from camp. Pollard, on the other hand, reportedly signed his franchise tender.