Josh Jacobs spills the beans on decision to choose the Packers over Raiders in free agency

Contract situation

The Raiders had multiple opportunities to reach a long-term agreement with Jacobs, but repeatedly decided not to do so. In 2022, the team declined Jacobs' fifth-year option, and there weren't strong negotiations during his first eligible year to sign an extension.

Last offseason, after Jacobs had had a career year in 2022, the Raiders opted to apply a franchise tag, keeping him around for one season without commiting for multiple years.

Packers' perspective

From the Packers' side, the team had already paid Aaron Jones three years ago. But he is 29 and was entering the last year of his deal. The Packers offered a huge paycut, which Jones did not accept.

With that, the Packers went on the market and secured 26-year-old Josh Jacobs on a four-year, $48 million deal, without future guarantees. That move opened the door for the Packers to release Aaron Jones, who ended up signing with the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year, $7 million contract, with $6 million in base earnings.

Josh Jacobs was one of the best offensive players in football two years ago, with 2,053 scrimmage yards and 12 total touchdowns. Last year, in 13 games, Jacobs had 1,101 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns.

Depth

Even though the Packers released Aaron Jones, the running back room is in good shape. The team signed Josh Jacobs, and was also able to re-sign former second-round pick AJ Dillon on a one-year, inexpensive deal, and re-sign exclusive-rights free agent Emanuel Wilson. The Packers also used a third-round pick to draft MarShawn Lloyd and signed undrafted rookie Jarveon Howard.

The 90-man roster still has Ellis Merriweather, who spent the final stretch of last season on the practice squad, and tight end/fullback hybrid Henry Pearson.