Exclusive: Raiders To Lose Elite Superstar After His Last Game with Team in 2023 Season

The days of franchise running backs are over.

The Las Vegas Raiders have faced a dramatic story arc in their 2023 season as they have fired their head coach, endured a quarterback change and suffered tremendous turmoil within the locker room.  While the team was expecting a competitive push under the renewed partnership of Head Coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, neither could make it through the season and the team has actually dramatically improved without either at the helm.

Las Vegas Raiders Likely to Lose Offensive Focal Point in Offseason

As i mentioned in my recent article regarding offensive juggernaut Derrick Henry, the running back position is quite simply a shell of what it was in the past as most players at the position can’t even get an extension after their rookie deal.  That is once again apparent with Las Vegas as the team is likely to move on from All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs in the offseason.

Jacobs has been the rock on the offensive side of the ball for Las Vegas as he has average 1,100 rushing yards per season in his five seasons with the team.  Jacobs was signed to a one year contract in the offseason to retain his services but will likely demand a higher salary upon signing a new contract.

During the last offseason, Jacobs made his opinions clear on the matter as the team couldn’t figure out any consistency on the offensive side of the ball aside from the running game.

“Obviously, I wouldn’t want to get franchise tagged. I feel like nobody really does,” Jacobs said. “But, to me, I wouldn’t mind it if they got the right guys in the building around us. [If] they got some guys on defense, figure out the quarterback situation, got some guys up front, then I would be like, ‘OK, I really wouldn’t mind coming back on the franchise tag but if you want me to come back and be the hero, you’re going to have to pay me like a hero.”

Jacobs will be arguably the greatest asset available at the running back position and will have his choice of teams but will still struggle to get his salary demands met anywhere else.  Jacobs is expected to miss the last game of the season against the Broncos with a quad injury which might be his concession of the season.

Safety Chris Smith Could Be Raiders’ Hidden Gem

Eight of the 10 defensive backs on the Las Vegas Raiders’ roster have been in the league for three seasons or fewer. Rookie Chris Smith is one of the youngest players in Las Vegas’ defensive backfield and on the defense. The Raiders selected Smith in the fifth round of the NFL Draft after he finished his college career at the University of Georgia with two national championships as an All-SEC selection and an All-American.

Still, Smith finds himself behind a talented veteran on the depth chart, a similar spot to many young and talented players in the National Football League. Smith went from an All-American in college to sitting behind one of the better-starting safeties in the NFL, Marcus Epps.

back Zamir White, who was Smith’s teammate in college. White has started to emerge after spending his rookie season behind the NFL’s leading rusher, Josh Jacobs. White says he hasn’t spoken to Smith about their similar rookie seasons, but he is confident in Smith’s ability to further develop during the offseason in an effort to be more involved next season.

“We haven’t talked about it, but we really need to,” White said. “Chris is a soldier. The dude is really good at safety. He’s a smart guy, a quiet guy, just all about his business. [I’d tell] Chris, just be patient, and your time will come.”

Now that next season is on the horizon, players who might not have played that much have the opportunity to work on their craft this offseason.

Smith is undoubtedly one of those players, as the rookie will have the opportunity to earn more playing time next season, much like White has earned more playing time in his second season with the Raiders.

The Raiders have officially begun looking toward the future. As is the case with any team that is out of playoff contention, late-season games have given Smith and other young players on the Raiders’ defense the opportunity to gain valuable experience on the field. Smith and the Raiders hope he is able to transition from role player next season to major contributor. The Silver and Black finish the 2023 NFL Regular season this weekend at home by hosting their AFC West rival, the Denver Broncos.