Silver Minings: Josh Jacobs refused to sign with Chiefs

Running back said the Raiders’ rivals pursued him in free agency

Former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs has taken his fair share of shots at the organization he left in free agency this offseason. However, while it was more subtle than his off-putting comments, Jacobs did show some loyalty to Las Vegas this past spring.

The Raiders’ biggest rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, tried to sign the 2022 rushing champ in free agency but he refused.

“They were trying to get me hard,” Jacobs told The Athletic’s Daniel Pompei. “But there was no way I was going there. I feel like once you are rivals with somebody, you have a genuine hate for them. I couldn’t see myself in that color. And besides, I never wanted to be the guy that joined the dominant team. I want to be the guy that beats the dominant team.”

Jacobs also revealed that the Denver Broncos, among several other teams, were interested in signing him. Ultimately, he inked a four-year, $48 million contract with the Green Bay Packers which he said Las Vegas declined to match.

“When the Packers offered $48 million over four years, he was intrigued, but he still pictured himself as a Raider for life,” Pompei wrote. “In his mind, his first team wasn’t his employer as much as his home. So he gave the Raiders an opportunity to match. When they said no, he told them he would accept less than the Packers offered if they included incentives. The Raiders turned him down. ‘I really didn’t want to up and move,’ he said. ‘But I could tell that s— was over with.’”

Ultimately, both parties are moving on and going their separate ways. Jacobs and the Packers will open up the season next week against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night in Brazil while the Raiders take on the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

In Other Raiders’ Links:

• What can Darnay Holmes bring to Las Vegas’ defense?: A film breakdown of Silver and Black’s new corner.
• Garner Minshew, Davante Adams need synergy: “My role in the offense is going to be making good decisions and keeping guys on track to make explosive plays,” Minshew noted via Silver and Black Pride’s Ray Aspuria. “It’s about fine-tuning things and getting comfortable and understanding how everyone sees the game. It will be good for all our skill guys to go get some extra work.”
• Raiders setting the standard for alumni relations: “I never get the feeling of being a former player, it’s like I am still on the team — that’s how much the Raiders care about you,” Marcus Allen said via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur. “It’s unique how much (owner) Mark Davis cares about these guys.”
• Agents rank Raiders most unstable franchise: “The owner (Mark Davis) frequently makes significant changes. He put Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler in charge and fired them after less than two seasons,” an anonymous agent told The Athletic Ben Standig. “Now, the Raiders have an inexperienced coach in Antonio Pierce and a retread GM hire in Tom Telesco. Organizations start at the top, and Davis doesn’t provide stability.”