The Las Vegas Raiders keep making personnel moves ahead of free agency as they have locked up another key contributor on offense. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Raiders have agreed to a contract extension with running back Jalen Richard. It’s reportedly a two-year deal worth $7 million, per the NFL Network.
Richard is a former undrafted free agent who signed with the Raiders after the 2016 NFL Draft. In his four years with the team, he’s totaled 2,550 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns for the Raiders.
Richard was scheduled to hit the free-agent market in less than a month, but decided to return to the Silver and Black as the team’s passing-down back.
Over the last two campaigns, Richard has caught 104 passes for the Raiders, averaging nearly 9 yards per reception. While he’s not an every-down running back, he is someone who Derek Carr trusts to get open during the game’s biggest moments.
Despite Richard and Josh Jacobs both being under contract, expect the team to look for a more traditional backup for Jacobs. However, expect Richard to keep his third-down role with the Raiders.
The 5-foot-8, 205-pound Richard, 26, became a favorite of coach Jon Gruden with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield -- he caught a team-high 68 passes in 2018 -- and his tenacious pass blocking.
Richard has also proven to be a tough runner between the tackles with breakaway speed, as evidenced by his 75-yard touchdown on his first NFL carry, at New Orleans in 2016.
He has averaged 5.0 yards per carry in his career with 1,170 yards on 233 attempts with three touchdowns and has caught 160 passes for 1,380 yards and three scores in 64 games.
In 2018, Gruden praised Richard, saying he "might be the MVP of our team."
