Jacobs would have received $10.1 million this season if he had signed the franchise tag tender. His deal appears similar to the one fellow running back Saquon Barkley agreed to late last month to stay with the New York Giants.
Jacobs, who last season led the NFL in rushing with 1,653 yards, had been expected to sign with the Raiders rather than sit out the season and forfeit his salary, but his prolonged absence began to raise questions that finally were answered Saturday.
He made clear early on he would be unhappy playing on a franchise tag, saying at the Pro Bowl that he would be a “hero turned villain.” Now that the two sides reached an agreement, Jacobs can focus on what should be another season in which the Raiders lean heavily on him.
Las Vegas coach Josh McDaniels indicated during training camp that Jacobs likely would receive a similar workload as last season, when he had nearly 400 touches between rushing and receiving. McDaniels also said a player needs practice time to get up to speed before getting a complement of plays, so it’s quite possible Jacobs will be eased back on the field.