KEY POINTS

  • Playing extensively during an exhibition game could be a sign that Josh Jacobs will be staying in Las Vegas
  • The Raiders are holding off contract talks on Jacobs possibly until the next offseason
  • Jacobs is still expected to be the starting running back of the Raiders next season

The Las Vegas Raiders fielded running back Josh Jacobs more than initially anticipated, and such has led to questions about his future with the NFL team.

Murmurs of a potential trade involving the 24-year-old cropped up after Jacobs played in an exhibition game longer than expected.

In that Hall of Fame game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Pro Bowl running back had a couple of drives and recorded seven touches per CBS Sports' report.

The outlet went on to point out how starters do not play much in special preseason games.

But to set the record straight, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that the Raiders have no plans to trade the 24-year-old out of Oklahoma.

To address the growing speculation linked to Jacobs, no less than Raiders coach Josh McDaniels shed light on the matter.

"I always think it's good for backs to carry the ball in the preseason," McDaniels said after the game. "There's a lot of things that happen when you're getting tackled and hit that you can't simulate in practice. I think all our guys had the ball tonight. I think all our guys either caught it or were handed the ball and had to get tackled. We can't really simulate that or rep that in practice."

Trade speculations picked up after the Raiders declined to pick up the fifth-year option on the former Alabama Crimson Tide player.

This also meant that Jacobs would become a free agent next offseason.

Jacobs is coming off a season where he recorded 1,220 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns.

Given that scenario, the Raiders may be holding off contract scenarios for now and touch on it once his current deal ends.

For now, Jacobs is set to earn a base salary of $2.12 million per Spotrac.

Although Las Vegas may have other options at running back such as s Brandon Bolden, Ameer Abdullah and rookie Zamir White, Jacobs is expected to remain as their starter since he is the one with the most experience in the group.

Josh Jacobs
Running back Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders makes a catch as he practices during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on August 01, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images