When Josh Jacobs announced his exit from the Las Vegas Raiders, several teams sent their representatives to him. One of them were the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, Jacobs, who was drafted in the first round by the Raiders, refused to sign with the Chiefs. The long-standing rivalry between the two sides played a massive part in his decision. Even though he left the Raiders on less-than-ideal terms, in his heart he still had respect for the badge.
They were trying to get me hard. But there was no way I was going there. I feel like once you are rivals with somebody, you have a genuine hate for them. I couldn’t see myself in that color. Josh Jacobs told Dan Pompei of TheAthletic.com.
The 2x Pro Bowler last year in Vegas started with a franchise tag as the Raiders wanted to keep him in the team but declined to pay him more than he is base salary. Jacobs’ season ended after just 13 games, suffering a quad injury in week 13. He was still on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform list) when the Raiders tried to pursue him to stay but his heart was set on an exit.
Jacobs, later in an interview revealed the atmosphere inside the Raiders’ locker room was never positive. Being part of a winning college program like Alabama, the 26-year-old was used to playing in big playoff games. The lack of postseason success, contract disputes, and turmoil at the quarterback spot made him leave.
Josh Jacobs’ second reason for declining to play for the Kansas City Chiefs
If Jacobs had agreed to their proposal, then there would’ve been a major question- whether he would have been the Chiefs’ starting running back ahead of Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards Helaire. The Chiefs tried their best to woo Jacobs to join their ranks in Kansas City but he has a set of principles which he abides by. He doesn’t want to play for a dominant team.
I never wanted to be the guy that joined the dominant team. I want to be the guy that beats the dominant team. Josh Jacobs said.
Jacobs eventually signed with NFC East side Green Bay Packers as the replacement for veteran Aaron Jones. After a few years of going through a slump, the Packers are once again an exciting team led by quarterback Jordan Love. It was hard for the team to lose Jones but Love claimed Jacobs’ inclusion was a massive positive for the team.
Getting Josh [Jacobs] here has been awesome. Excited to see him on the field. He’s an awesome player. He’s been an awesome teammate so far. It’s been good getting to know him, and I’m excited to see what he can do this year. Jordan Love said.
Josh Jacobs will make his Green Bay Packers debut against the Philadelphia Eagles but not at Lambeau Field or the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Both teams will play the NFL’s first-ever game in Brazil in week 1.
