Oakland Raiders superstar pass rusher Khalil Mack is reportedly set to hold out of his team’s mandatory minicamp this week due to a contract impasse with the club.
According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, the holdout could extend to training camp, as well.
Another top defender, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, is also holding out of his team’s offseason workouts for the same reason. Steve Wyche of NFL Network reported on Monday that Mack and Donald are playing a game of chicken with one another to see who will set the new market for elite defenders, which makes plenty of sense.
The Raiders haven’t exactly been understanding about Mack’s position, however. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther recently called out his star for not attending OTAs, which likely didn’t help matters.
That said, Tafur reports that “all sides are hopeful” that a new contract can be worked out before the start of training camp. If that doesn’t happen, nobody should be surprised if Mack ends up holding out until the start of the season.
In four seasons as a pro, the former first-rounder out of Buffalo has racked up 303 total tackles, 40.5 sacks, one interception (for a touchdown, no less) and nine forced fumbles. He’s set to earn $13.8 million this season without a new deal, that being the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.