On Monday morning, a report hit the press that the Raiders are confident Khalil Mack will show up, with or without a new contract, for the regular season opener against the Rams.
It didn’t take even a full day for Mack’s camp to squash that theory – or at least threaten to do as much. This was the report (surely a response from Mack’s agent) from CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora:
“I can’t tell you if he is there in late September or sometime in October or maybe at midseason in November, but, after getting a feel for how disrespected, underappreciated and angry the former first-round pick is with the way this situation has unfolded, and Mack having proved his mettle by racking up over $1.6M in fines from missed preseason games and practices to this point, there is no way in heck I can foresee a scenario in which Mack reports the way Aaron Donald did in 2017 and shows up right before Week 1.
Nah, at this point the Raiders should begin operating under that assumption if they haven’t made some tangible progress towards at least negotiating a potential new deal very soon. And if they continue to allow weeks to compound without extending a viable contract offer, and further exacerbating a bad situation, then they had best come to grips with the fact that the first game of Gruden’s much-celebrated return to the organization will transpire with their best player back at home.”
While Mack still seems likely to show up for the regular season, there’s no question that he’s absolutely aggravated by the way the Raiders have handled his contract. Several reports have indicated that Mack hasn’t seen an offer from the Raiders in months and still aren’t making progress (or even talking for that matter).
The Raiders, on the other hand, apparently don’t want to negotiate a deal until Mack returns to the team – similar to the way they handled Donald Penn’s holdout a year ago.
Just a guess, but the odds should still be very much in favor of Mack showing up in time to face the Rams – and collect that hefty game check.
But if he didn’t, can you imagine the upheaval?
twitter: @raidersbeat
To tell you the truth I’m sick and tired of this Mack stuff. Next time I hear about it is 1 he signed 2 he was traded 3 he is going to play 2018 for a measly 14 MILLION. I wouldn’t care if no one wrote about it until then. Let’s not speculate about what might happen. write positive stuff that’s happening now. Thank you!!!!
Quick observation based on the many reports and speculation, I am putting this on Mack’s agent. I think the Raiders are willing and able to negotiate but are standing firm (which they should) on the “we will only negotiate with players who are here with the team.” You can’t make that statement last season and back down on it this season. When you set a precedent, you have to stick by it and be committed to it. Mack’s agent is causing this hold out by telling Mack to not return until he gets a deal (complete speculation on my part), but like Penn last season, he isn’t getting one until he returns to the team. Penn realized that, returned, and got a new deal. Mack should do the same.
JUST PAY THE MACK! GEEZ WTF DAVIS & McKENZIE!? STOP EFF’G AROUND!
AND WTF CHUCKY, DEMAND THE MACK ASAP! YOU’VE GOT THE BALLS AND
THE PULL! GET THIS M’FKR DONE ALREADYS AND GET HIM IN PADS! SMFH!
PAY THE MACK!
PAY HIM!
They had his whole 4th season and all FN summer to negotiate. Don’t stall around and now talk about you don’t negotiate with guys that hold out.
The 14mill he could make is irrelevant. His value is 22-25 per with 70 mil guaranteed!!
Mack, your Agent is costing you big money, they said they will pay you when you come back. Go back, if nothing g is worked out, next year, sit out your 10 games play you 6,and sign so.e where else. You win, and you will not have to worry about that Franchise tag.