Sean Payton Teases Potential Josh Jacobs Broncos Pursuit

The All-Pro RB is set to hit free agency.

After putting pen to paper with the Denver Broncos, new head coach Sean Payton flew to Arizona to fulfill his final FOX analyst obligations ahead of Super Bowl 57.

Those obligations meant Payton would appear on various programming, including Thursday's live edition of Up & Adams on FanDuel TV. He was joined alongside Raiders All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs, an impending free agent whom Payton spoke highly of.

Perhaps too highly.

"He was outstanding this year," Payton gushed. "A downhill, physical runner. For a team that wasn't necessarily always having success, he was always consistently playing well. I'm glad he's a free agent. I encourage everyone to look at him, get him out of the [AFC] West.

"Maybe we look at him."

This is hilarious from Sean Payton😂

Watch him sweet talking rival #Raiders RB Josh Jacobs, who is a free agent
pic.twitter.com/PwZlNUQ5mU

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 9, 2023

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A former first-round pick, Jacobs enjoyed the best season of his career in 2022, winning the NFL rushing crown with 1,653 yards across 340 attempts (4.9 yards per carry). He added 12 touchdowns on the ground and 53 receptions for 400 yards through the air.

Jacobs, who turns 25 on Saturday, has long been regarded as a "Broncos killer." In two games against Denver last year — both victories — the 220-pound bruiser totaled 335 yards from scrimmage and a pair of TDs.

While Payton must be mindful of the league's strict tampering rules, there's merit to improving his backfield while weakening a rival's. Especially with a player of Jacobs' caliber, and especially considering the Broncos have three RBs of their own (Mike Boone, Latavius Murray, Marlon Mack) set to walk next month.

General manager George Paton has promised Denver will be "aggressive" on the open market. That certainly could mean the team bypasses Jacobs to satisfy bigger areas of need, such as the offensive line. Or it might just mean Javonte Williams, coming off a significant knee injury, gets a Batman to his Robin.

"Does he look good in orange?" host Kay Adams asked aloud, referencing Jacobs.

"Yes, indeed," Payton responded.

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