With less than a month remaining until the franchise tag deadline on July 17th for players who haven’t signed their tendered offer yet, several notable players in the NFL find themselves in similar situations, including Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders, Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants, and Tony Pollard of the Dallas Cowboys. The Las Vegas Raiders are eager to reach an agreement with Jacobs, whether it be playing on the franchise tag or negotiating a new long-term deal that secures his presence in Las Vegas for the foreseeable future. Notably, Jacobs had his 5th-year option declined under the previous regime led by Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels.
At the age of 25, Jacobs is coming off his most successful season in his professional career. He led the league in rushing yards with an impressive 1,653 yards, scored 12 touchdowns, and maintained an average of 4.9 yards per carry. Additionally, he excelled in all-purpose yards, totaling 2,053 yards. Given his outstanding performance, Jacobs has the right to explore various options, including holding out, seeking a longer contract, or even requesting a release. While all these scenarios are possible, it is prudent to remain optimistic that he will choose to return to the team. Undoubtedly, Jacobs has proven his value and deserves a substantial contract. Throughout NFL history, there have been notable instances where running backs held out due to contract disputes and subsequently played their best football during their contract years, leading them to seek opportunities with other teams. Let’s examine some of these past contract disputes involving notable running backs.
Le’veon Bell (2019)
One such case involved Le’Veon Bell, a star running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers who was on the verge of becoming a generational talent at a young age. After achieving early success, Bell agreed to play on the franchise tag during the 2017-18 season. Following another impressive season with 1,946 total yards from scrimmage and two-time first-team All-Pro honors, the Steelers placed the franchise tag on Bell for a second consecutive year, worth $14.5 million. However, Bell refused to sign the offer, resulting in a holdout for the entire 2018 season. He abstained from participating in any offseason programs, training camp, or regular-season games, as he failed to sign the franchise tender by the NFL’s November 13 deadline, rendering him ineligible to play.
In the 2019 offseason, Bell and the Steelers decided to part ways, making him a free agent. Eventually, he reached a long-term agreement with the New York Jets, signing a 4-year, $54 million contract. Unfortunately, Bell’s career took a downturn as he underperformed in his first year with the Jets. The disappointment in his regression led the Jets to lose faith in him, and they attempted to find a trade partner without success. Consequently, the Jets released Bell, and he has since been signed by multiple teams in a backup capacity, but he has been out of the league since 2021.
Eric Dickerson (1985-1987)
Another prominent figure in contract disputes is Eric Dickerson, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most dominant running backs in NFL history. His exceptional athleticism, size, speed, and elusiveness were astonishing to witness. As a rookie in 1983, Dickerson established records for the most rushing attempts (390), most rushing yards gained (1,808), and most rushing touchdowns (18), while also adding two receiving touchdowns. These remarkable achievements earned him All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year honors.
In 1985, contract disputes between Eric Dickerson and the Rams organization commenced after Dickerson set the all-time record in a season with 2,105. Feeling that his exceptional performance warranted negotiations for a long-term contract with the Rams, Dickerson entered into a two-year period of dispute regarding a contract extension. Despite the ongoing disagreements, Dickerson continued to play dominantly, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections, All-Pro team honors, and the Offensive Player of the Year award in 1986.
However, as the 1987 season began, a strike-shortened season ensued in the league. Dickerson played only three games before the strike occurred, and during that time, the Rams traded him to the Colts in a three-team deal involving the Buffalo Bills. This trade did not impede his performance, as Dickerson went on to secure a 4-year, $10 million contract extension with the Colts, becoming the highest-paid running back at that time. He continued to perform at a star level until the 1990s as he aged, solidifying his status as one of the NFL’s most accomplished running backs throughout his ten-year career.
Emmitt Smith (1993)
Emmitt Smith, the Dallas Cowboys running back, is widely regarded as the best to ever play the position in the NFL, boasting records that are seemingly unreachable and rewriting the league’s history books. In 1993, uncertainty surrounded Smith’s future with the Dallas Cowboys as he entered his contract year following the team’s successful 1992 season. Smith had just shattered the Cowboys’ single-season rushing record and claimed the league’s rushing title with an impressive 1,713 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, showcasing his dominance on the field. However, a heated contract dispute unfolded between Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones and Emmitt Smith. Jones dismissed Smith’s notion of holding out for the season as a mere “bluff.”
With the Cowboys starting the 1993 season with a disappointing 0-2 record, Jones recognized that the team’s chances of making a back-to-back Super Bowl run were in jeopardy. Consequently, he reevaluated the contract situation with Smith. In Week 3, Smith and the Cowboys reached an agreement on a new 3-year, $13.5 million contract, making him the highest-paid running back in history at that time. Smith’s renewed presence helped guide the Cowboys back to the Super Bowl for a second consecutive year, where he was bestowed with the 1993 NFL MVP award and named the Super Bowl XXVIII MVP. Smith’s illustrious career included three Super Bowl victories and culminated in his induction into the Hall of Fame.
These instances involving notable running backs and their contract disputes provide valuable insight into the potential outcomes when star players hold out for improved contracts after delivering exceptional performances on the field. Josh Jacobs, currently ranked as one of the top five running backs in the NFL, finds himself in a similar situation. While the hope remains that Jacobs and the Raiders will reach an agreement, only time will tell what lies ahead for Las Vegas and their promising young running back.
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