Quarterback, quarterback, quarterback. That’s what everybody wants for the Las Vegas Raiders, no disrespect to Aidan O’Connell.
But before we lose ourselves in free-agent and draft possibilities, what about the other side of the coin? What could the Raiders lose in free agency?
Some key contributors will hit the free-agent market if new general manager Tom Telesco doesn’t re-sign them before the start of the new league year March 13. Here’s our ranking of the Raiders’ top eight unrestricted free agents, in order of which players are likely to demand the most interest on the open market
The Las Vegas Raiders will again find themselves at a crossroads with star running back Josh Jacobs, as the veteran back will become a free agent this offseason. Jacobs held out all of last season, hoping for a new long-term contract with the Raiders before eventually signing a one-year deal with the team. Jacobs would go on to have a subpar season by his standards, much like the team did. Jacobs was in the top five in rushing yards on the season before missing the final four games with an injury. Jacobs finished with the lowest yard total of his career while playing the fewest games he has played in a season since his rookie year. If Jacobs can find a team to pay him what he’s looking for, that would leave big shoes for the Raiders to fill but could free up both cap space for the Raiders and playing time for other players in the backfield.
As of now, the Raiders would be leaning on Zamir White to carry most of the load next season. Las Vegas could also add a veteran free agent running back to pair next to White if Ameer Abdullah also leaves in free agency. Or, the Raiders could continue pairing White with Abdullah and draft another quality running back in the mid to late rounds.
While Antonio Pierce being named the Raiders’ permanent head coach significantly heightens the chances Jacobs returns to Las Vegas next season, the Raiders have been preparing to lose him since they drafted White in the fourth round, the same season Jacobs entered a contract season. Although Jacobs would go on to lead the National Football League in rushing that same season, his overall decline in 2023 gives credibility to the notion the Raiders and many other NFL owners have that running backs don’t have very many prime years since they take so much physical damage every week. Should the Raiders let Jacobs walk in free agency, they have a running back in White that can handle the bulk of the load with the addition of other running backs to fit his running style.
