Josh Jacobs was ‘itching to get back on the field’ with Raiders

Josh Jacobs returned to the Raiders facilities on Aug. 26, with a new contract in hand.

Last year’s rushing champion held out of training camp and most of the preseason as he negotiated a new deal with Las Vegas. Talking to the media for the first time, he said he thought the negotiation process went well for both sides. The hardest thing, though, was being on the sideline, “itching to get back.”

“One of the hardest things in football to do is watch, at least for a guy like me. So, I was I was itching to get back, so just to be able to come and make it make sense for both parties, it was definitely huge,” Jacobs said. “The only thing that’s bad obviously is you want to grind with your guys, especially knowing there’s a lot of new guys coming in. You want the guys to know who you are and respect what you do, respect your work. And that was just the biggest thing, not being able to have that camaraderie. But I wouldn’t say it was just all negative. Being at home allowed me to spend a lot more time with my kids, and help my dad do his diet plans and get in shape and things like that. So, I mean it was pros and cons on both sides, but at the end of the day, I want to play football. I wanted to be here with the guys, and so I’m just glad it worked out.”

Physically, he said he didn’t miss a step when he got back on the practice field. And running back Brandon Bolden agreed, adding it was great seeing Eight back on the field.

“He looked like eight, well, I mean he looks like 28, but he looks like eight,” Bolden said, referencing Jacobs’ new number. “He’s the same old Josh. He was away from football, he missed it, we missed him, but we’re back to work and having him out there today, that was big for everybody; everybody out there, including him.”

#🎱#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/hgY9o4TawQ

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) August 31, 2023

What 8 means to Josh Jacobs

Jacobs was also asked about his new number. In years past, the Raiders running back wore 28. This year, he’s switched it to just eight. So, why the change?

“All my life, that’s the number I’ve always worn. It’s just the number I feel like it brings out something different in me. Even in college, I feel like I took that leap in that number,” Jacobs said. “So, I mean it’s going to be fun to see what I could do with it and just try to make it a staple.”

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