The Kansas City Chiefs have been the biggest thorn in the Las Vegas Raiders’ side over the last few years. Since Patrick Mahomes got there, their divisional rivalry has been as one-sided as it can get. As a result, it has led to some unsavory tactics to even the playing field. One such incident came in 2021, when the Raiders tried to disrespect Kansas City before the game.
A victory lap around the stadium and huddling over the Chiefs logo felt like a careful plan to trigger the team in Missouri. However, not everyone on the team was on board with the idea. In a recent interview, Josh Jacobs revealed his feelings on the matter and his general feelings in the locker room.
Jacobs came into the NFL as a highly heralded pick out of Alabama after winning the College Football Playoff National Championship with the Crimson Tide. A first-round pick in 2019, he was immediately excellent for the Raiders.
However, Jacobs’ tenure wasn’t smooth with the team, especially with the multiple losing seasons on their record. But a key incident that he did not want any part of was the logo stunt against Kansas City.
In a December 2021 matchup, several of the Raiders’ roster intentionally gathered at KC’s logo, leading to some extra fuel for the Chiefs. Jacobs viewed the move as unnecessary and unwarranted, and in the end, the Chiefs would dominate, 48-9.
“I told them, ‘Do not do that s***. That’s dumb. We are the little brother at that point. We ain’t beat them enough to deserve that right. We not even winning enough to deserve that right to go do that,’” Jacobs said in a recent interview.
He went on to reveal that he didn’t partake in the activity at all.
“I remember exactly what I said ’cause I didn’t go do it,” he added. “My exact words were, ‘If y’all do that, y’all better stand on that s***.’ I’m like, we better win.”
Unfortunately, the result did not go their way, with a 48-9 thrashing the worst possible result in that scenario. Understandably, Jacobs didn’t take too kindly to it.
“I was hot in the locker room
But for the three-time Pro Bowler, the problems in the locker room went far beyond that one incident.
“Their mentality, I was like, ‘We’re never gonna win like that, if people don’t take this [losing] a little more personally.’”
After one playoff appearance through the first five years of his career with the Raiders, Jacobs immediately went to the postseason in his first year with the Green Bay Packers. Suffice it to say, as a potential Super Bowl contender, he’s found the locker room mentality he likes.