Josh Jacobs is no longer with the Raiders, which means the team’s backfield will undergo changes in 2024. Following Jacobs’ departure without any re-signing negotiations, Zamir White is set to take over lead back duties.

White showed promise last season, his second in the NFL, accumulating 451 rushing yards. Most of these yards came in a four-week stretch when Jacobs was out with an injury. The 24-year-old is expected to have a much heavier workload in 2024, but experienced free agent Alexander Mattison will be competing for carries.

“Just because [White has] got the job now, that doesn’t mean it can’t be taken,” confirmed head coach Antonio Pierce. “Alex Mattison is a really good football player, and that’s how I’m going to keep going about our team… So Zamir understands that – don’t get comfortable. And I think he’s done a really good job with that.”

Mattison spent his first five NFL seasons in Minnesota as Dalvin Cook‘s backup. After Cook’s departure last offseason, Mattison saw increased usage but his efficiency and lack of rushing scores led to Minnesota moving on. Mattison signed a one-year, $2MM deal in March to rebuild his value.

Reports suggest that the White-Mattison duo is the Raiders’ plan at the running back spot, with Ameer Abdullah as a special teams mainstay. However, the team might look for more additions during training camp or roster cutdowns. With White on a rookie contract and no big deal for Jacobs, the team hasn’t invested heavily in the position.

Several veterans, including Cook, Kareem Hunt, and Cam Akers, are still available in the market. With over $34MM in cap space, the Raiders may opt for low-cost signings. The competition between White and Mattison will likely determine the direction the team takes in the rest of the 2024 offseason.