Running back Josh Jacobs, a former cornerstone of the Las Vegas Raiders offense, said he felt a lack of respect from the organization before his departure to the Green Bay Packers this offseason. Jacobs spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Raiders after being drafted in 2019.
Jacobs stated he had a strong desire to remain in Las Vegas and was invested in the community, having built a house in the area. Despite this, he ultimately decided to leave due to perceived disrespect from the team's leadership.
Speaking on the Bussin' With the Boys podcast, Jacobs detailed his frustrations. He referenced constant changes in coaching staff and general managers, noting that new coaches would question his past accomplishments, including multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Jacobs said he felt he was being treated like a rookie and told he had to prove himself again.
He specifically mentioned being asked to play in a Hall of Fame Game and then, after injuries mounted and he performed well when needed, being given the franchise tag instead of a long-term contract he believed he had earned.
During his time with the Las Vegas Raiders, Jacobs played under four different head coaches: Jon Gruden, Rich Bisaccia, Josh McDaniels, and Antonio Pierce. He also saw multiple general managers overseeing the front office decisions.
Jacobs led the NFL in rushing yards in 2022 with 1,653 yards and felt this accomplishment warranted a long-term commitment. He reported that the Raiders offered $10 million per year at one point, but their offers did not match those from other teams nor included desired incentives.
Ultimately, Jacobs signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Packers. Following his departure, the Raiders finished last in the league in rushing yards per game in 2024. The team has since brought in new leadership with general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll and drafted running back Ashton Jeanty in the 2025 draft.
Jacobs conveyed the difficulty of the decision to leave. "It really hurt my heart because I tried to stay," Jacobs said. "I did everything in my power to stay."
