NFL insider reveals Josh Jacobs left Las Vegas with no plans to return soon

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs has made his intentions for training camp clear this week. He was spotted boarding a flight out of Nevada on Monday morning, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, and he’s reportedly told those close to him that he doesn’t plan to return soon.

Raiders begin training camp on July 25th, which is when veterans are supposed to report. As Jacobs continues his contract dispute with the team over his 2023 salary and beyond, he does not intend to join his teammates for the preseason practices.

It’s still unclear whether Jacobs or fellow running back holdout Saquon Barkley intends to sacrifice more than training camp fines to aid in their negotiations. Although they appear set on giving up $50,000 per day of training camp missed, neither has said for sure whether they’ll sit out games this season.

Last year, Jacobs tallied 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground for the Raiders. He also totaled 400 yards on 53 receptions while starting in all 17 games.

Jacobs has spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Raiders. He earned Pro Bowl bids in 2020 and 2022. So far, he’s accounted for 4,740 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns on the ground. He’s added 1,152 receiving yards to his production totals in that time, too.

If he had signed it, Jacobs would have made roughly $10.1 million on the franchise tender in 2023. However, the running back is coming off his second Pro Bowl season in the last three seasons and is looking to cash in.

Jacobs refuses to sign franchise tag

Unfortunately for the former Alabama star, NFL GMs are currently unwilling to throw down top dollar on running backs. It’s a phenomenon that has so far sparked major concern among the league’s best ball carriers.

Of the running backs that were offered franchise tags for 2023, only Tony Pollard opted to sign rather than try to negotiate a long-term deal with Dallas. He’s coming off of a broken fibula and a high-ankle sprain that required offseason surgery.

The latest trend that’s harming RB value even prompted a large Zoom call over the weekend.

Earlier this week, Christian McCaffrey blew up NFL Twitter when he criticized the Giants, Raiders and Cowboys for not signing their tailbacks to long-term deals.

“This is Criminal,” he wrote. “Three of the best PLAYERS in the entire league, regardless of position.”