24 July 2023 , 00:14
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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams sent a stern message to the team over running back Josh Jacobs. Adams believes that to achieve their Super Bowl aspirations, Jacobs is critical to their offense in the future.
Franchise-tagged players had until last Monday's deadline to secure a multi-year deal, leaving uncertainty about the availability of the Raiders star running back for the 2023 season. Despite being the leading rusher from last season, Jacobs has yet to finalize his tag agreement, potentially leading to a holdout from training camp or even the beginning of the season until his contract situation is resolved.
Adams spoke on NFL Total Access and empathized with his teammate's challenging situation. He expressed his hope for a swift resolution, given the significant impact Jacobs has on the success of the Las Vegas offense.
"If we want to have a shot at winning the Super Bowl and having all the elite aspirations that we do, we're gonna need that guy," he said. "So I'm praying that we can still figure something out, but also understanding where Josh is coming from and trying to coach him through it at the same time."
Amid his personal experience dealing with significant contract disputes, like Jacobs' situation, Adams revealed that he has been providing guidance and support to his teammates during this complex process.
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"I've been talking to him. We've been in his ear a little bit just trying to coach him through this process," Adams said. "I've been through it a couple of times myself, and I know what it's like to go back and forth about whether or not you feel appreciated."
After eight years with the Green Bay Packers, Adams is qualified to comprehend the conflicting emotions that arise when a player and their team navigate the financial aspects of the sport. Last offseason, Green Bay used the franchise tag on Adams, prompting him to assert that he would not play under the franchise tag label.
Las Vegas Raiders ruuning back Josh Jacobs. (2023 Getty Images)The inability to reach a consensus on a new contract led to Adams being traded to Las Vegas, where he ultimately secured a long-term deal. The Raiders' official offseason training camp begins July 24.
Throughout the team's offseason, much attention was focused on Jimmy Garoppolo's surgically repaired foot condition. NFL Network Insiders previously reported that Garoppolo could be ready for training camp, but the extent of his early involvement remains uncertain.
Las Vegas essentially traded Derek Carr for Garoppolo, believing the latter would suit Josh McDaniels' offensive system. With Jacobs' upcoming absence, the workload for backup running backs Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah, and Brandon Bolden is expected to increase significantly.
They will likely take on more responsibilities in the Raiders' running game and contribute to the team's offensive efforts during Jacobs' absence.