On Wednesday, Jon Gruden sounded like a head coach ready to get his star player back with the team.
“[Khalil] Mack’s the best player coming off the edge in football,” Gruden told SiriusXM Radio after Wednesday’s practice. “That’s our opinion and we’re determined to find a way to get him in here and get him a contract, and get on with life.”
But don’t get excited just yet.
A report from longtime team insider Steve Corkran on Wednesday evening painted a little less ambitious picture of the Raiders efforts to get Mack back on the field:
“As of Wednesday afternoon, the two sides still weren’t communicating in any fashion and there isn’t even an offer for Mack to consider, either,” said Corkran on RaidersSnakePit.com. “So, the Napa portion of the Raiders training camp is going to end Thursday the same way it started: with Mack nowhere to be seen and absolutely nothing being done to end the stalemate… the Raiders and Mack are as far apart as ever, Gruden’s words notwithstanding.”
The good news, if there is any, is that a report last week might explain why there hasn’t been contact between the team and Mack.
“There’s been no communication because the agent for Khalil Mack is a hard-nosed agent and he’s keeping his client at bay, and rightfully so if he wants to do that,” Fox Sports Radio’s JT The Brick told San Diego’s Might 1090 AM. “Reggie McKenzie, the GM, will not negotiate with anyone unless they are in camp. He proved that last year with Donald Penn, who held out for more than 25 days.”
So what happens if Mack’s holdout ends up extending into the season? It’s possible, under the current conditions, that the stalemate could go on indefinitely if Mack doesn’t return to the team.
And that at least raises the question: could Mack’s high profile agent be strong-arming his client into accomplishing exactly nothing by holding out?
twitter: @raidersbeat
Fire that agent khalil mack get into camp and get paid that simple
His agent is a douche for not pressuring the Raiders into any type of communication. This only hurts Mack’s development in a new system. I understand the holding out, but there needs to be a desire, on both ends, to get this resolved… get him signed and let’s play some Raider Football!!!
His agent is a douche for not pressuring the Raiders into any type of communication. This only hurts Mack’s development in a new system. I understand the holding out, but there needs to be a desire, on both ends, to get this resolved… get him signed and let’s play some Raider Football!!!
For all those that think Mack will sit out or force a trade! Get the **** over it. According to Joe Banner former league guy and agent he said this in an article, “Mack’s situation is likely to become more acrimonious the longer it goes. Nonetheless, the chances of Mack sitting out the 2018 season are remote. It would be counterproductive contractually. Oakland would likely have Mack’s contract tolled for a full year under the extension provisions in paragraph 16 of the standard NFL player contract thanks to an arbitration decision relating to Joey Galloway’s 101-day holdout in 1999. This would mean Mack’s deal wouldn’t expire until after the 2019 season instead of the 2018 season.” So packer fans go **** yourself! Once a RAIDER ALWAYS A RAIDER!
Pay the man !