Now that Odell Beckham Jr. has received that huge long-term contract and with Aaron Donald close to a new deal, there’s only a couple major contract issues around the NFL heading into Week 1.
Among them, former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack remains away from the Raiders. A holdout throughout Oakland’s offseason program and the first three preseason games, Mack has already been fined $2.5 million.
He’s honing in on a new deal and might very well continue his holdout through Week 1 if nothing comes to fruition on that end.
In talking about his star player’s contract situation, Raiders head coach Jon Gruden noted that it’s been a grueling process.
Gruden doesn’t have a timetable for Mack’s return. “It’s been a grueling process for both parties and the fans.” #Raiders
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) August 27, 2018
It’s an interesting statement to make given that Oakland has reportedly not offered Mack a contract since all the way back in February. Just how grueling can it be to ignore the absense of your team’s best player?
Recent reports have suggested that the Raiders are at least entertaining trade offers for the stud pass rusher. Whether anything happens on that end remains to be seen. But the longer this process plays out, the more likely it becomes that Mack will indeed be wearing another uniform at some point in the not-so-distant future.
Now that other star players have received lucrative long-term deal, the onus is on Oakland to take care of one of its own. Gruden’s comment does nothing to dispel that.