Late May isn’t usually the time of year NFL teams are making crucial roster decisions, but the Raiders have a big one coming.
If offensive guard Gabe Jackson is on the roster as of June 1, he is guaranteed more than $9 million. The Athletic’s Vic Tafur believes the Raiders could go “either way” on Jackson which means he probably has (or will be) approached about a pay cut. Jackson might prefer to take a pay cut than test his value as a free agent, which would surely be nowhere near the $9.6 million he is slated to make in 2020 with the Raiders.
Considering the Raiders were a little aggressive in adding (and re-signing) guards in the offseason, the odds that Jackson will take a pay cut or be released should be a little better than the likelihood that he will clear $9.6 million from the Raiders this year.
The Raiders still want to sign a couple players between now and free agency so reducing Jackson’s cap hit might still be a high priority. Remember, the Raiders were reportedly shopping him for cheap around the time of the draft and the next step backwards from minimal compensation is no compensation at all.
Nevertheless, if the Raiders can afford him, would Jon Gruden really want to take any chances along his offensive line?
After all, it isn’t Gruden’s money going into Jackson’s bank account.
Jackson played through injuries in each of the past two seasons and turns 29 in July. He and quarterback Derek Carr are the only players left on the Raiders roster from the 2014 draft.
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