The Oakland Raiders and Khalil Mack have seemingly made no progress toward a long-term contract extension, and the star pass-rusher is apparently willing to forfeit more than $800,000 per week if he does not get a new deal before Week 1.
Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports is reporting that Mack is likely to continue his holdout into the regular season, as his representatives have had no discussions about a new contract with the Raiders recently. Sources told Robinson that nothing has changed on either side of the negotiations since February and that the theme from Mack’s people has become “pay him or trade him.”
It would appear as though Jon Gruden has no intention of caving to Mack’s demands, as Robinson reports that the Raiders would not sign Mack to an extension without the coach’s approval.
This was a point made forcefully clear by multiple sources – that unless team owner Mark Davis steps in, Gruden has the final say over whatever happens with Mack’s deal. This means whether Mack is traded, extended or shelved until reporting to the franchise on his current deal, Gruden’s final call is the definitive piece of the puzzle.
Davis is said to have no issue coming up with the funds to give Mack the type of contract he is commanding, which would almost certainly make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history in both average annual value and guaranteed money.
Mack is entering the final season of his rookie contract, so he has very little leverage. He’s set to make around $13.8 million in 2018, which means each game he skips would cost him more than $850,000. The Raiders are standing firm knowing that Mack will be forfeiting a ton of money by not showing up, and they also still have the option of franchise tagging him in 2019 and beyond.
While they have not said so publicly, the Raiders are reportedly willing to listen to trade offers for Mack. There have been a few teams linked to the former Defensive Player of the Year, though it sounds like one of the strongest rumors we heard was unfounded.
