The Las Vegas Raiders will open training camp without its offensive leader.
Josh Jacobs, the National Football League’s rushing champion in 2022, will not report to camp Tuesday.
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According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the former Alabama standout was spotted boarding a flight leaving Las Vegas airport. Jacobs, a former first-round pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, got the fifth-year option on his rookie contract declined.
#Raiders RB Josh Jacobs, who hasn’t signed his franchise tender, was spotted this morning boarding a flight leaving Las Vegas.
Jacobs won’t report for training camp Tuesday and has told people close to him that he doesn’t plan to return anytime soon. pic.twitter.com/JxwpE3LBXL
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 24, 2023
He rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of four seasons while having 1,000+ yards from scrimmage in four years. The 25-year-old is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and earned first-team All-Pro honors last year. Jacobs totaled 1,653 rushing yards, 400 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns in 2022. Las Vegas did not reach a new deal with him, and Jacobs did not sign the franchise tender tag that would have paid him a little over $10 million. He gambled on himself last year and won, but the Raiders didn’t see the value.
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We will see if Jacobs decides to test the market of other teams.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
