Raiders Won’t Trade RB Josh Jacobs, Says Head Coach Josh McDaniels

Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. Photo by John Fisher/CSM/Shutterstock (10451500ae)

Multiple reports in recent days indicated that the Las Vegas Raiders are shopping their starting back Josh Jacobs and would part with Pro Bowler for the right price. However, even if the reports are accurate, the Raiders’ new head coach Josh McDaniels isn’t ready to admit that.

Jacobs recently received a heavy workload in a 27-11 preseason win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, prompting many to see it as a “showcase” for prospective buyers. But when asked about it during Monday’s press conference, McDaniels said that isn’t something that crossed his mind.

“We have a lot of confidence in J.J.,” McDaniels said. “And, you know, he did well with his opportunities, which we hoped he would”

“We have no desire to do that [trade Jacobs] at all,” he added.

The Raiders selected Josh Jacobs in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft to be their running back of the future. The Alabama product played the part in his first two years in the league, topping 1,000+ rushing yards and 7+ touchdowns in each, but his production dipped last year.

In the 15 games he played in 2020, Jacobs managed 872 yards while averaging 4.0 yards per carry. Unconvinced about his long-term future with the franchise, the Raiders opted to decline the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. The 24-year-old player is now set to become a free agent after the season.

Gunner's favorite movies are Pulp Fiction, Iron Man (just the first one), and every James Bond film ever made. He's learning TV and cinema and hoping to always enjoy movies as he does now.