When the Raiders drafted two offensive tackles in the first three rounds of the draft, they did so with the understanding that Donald Penn was no slam dunk to hold down the left tackle position for another year.
Penn turned 35 in April and is still recovering from a significant injury to his foot.
On Sunday, Penn’s situation got even more complicated when a domestic incident was reported involving him and his wife.
Following news that police were investigating Penn in the incident, NFL Network’s Mike Silver reported that Penn is no guarantee to remain with the Raiders.
“They could save $8 million by cutting [Penn],” Silver reported on Monday. “He could stick around. He could stick around and be asked to take a pay cut.”
Penn opened the 2017 season with a three-week holdout and was later given a two-year, $21 million extension with $3 million guaranteed. So the Raiders essentially owe him $3 million in 2018 whether he is on the team or not.
Considering the guaranteed money, the Raiders don’t have a lot of leverage to coax Penn into a pay cut – but you never know.
Given the way the past few months have played out, what team would jump at the opportunity to sign Penn for much more than a ham sandwich right about now?
twitter: @raidersbeat
Dude is a bum!!
A ham sandwich would be an insult . A lobster dinner on the other hand … the Raiders shouldn’t worry too much about Penn’s off field situation . There’s no prior history and his wife says there’s no problem . The concern should be the status of his injury and if he can perform if he gets back to full strength. Just the same , they may want to prepare for the possibility he can’t perform at the level they’re accustomed to him performing so they should be trying everything they can to get Miller up to speed . With Vadal Alexander suspended for 4 games , they may have to count on Parker to step up and secure the RT spot . Not an ideal situation for Carr . Penn is still a valuable asset until he proves otherwise. He has 2 years left on his contract but probably won’t last that long . Unless Penn comes back at less than his usual self , they need his experience protecting Derek’s blind side . They shouldn’t insult him by devaluing him to save a little cash .
Whatever it takes to get Bowman signed.
Yeahhhh.. dont think he would get much interest if he was cut. Would love for him to stick around and take a pay cut buuut, i really dont see Penn agreeing to a pay cut. Especially after he just held out for MORE money last season..
Wonder if the front office was actually thinking about taking Mcglinchey at 10 and then Miller in rd 2?🤔 Or even trade up for him..
I would not be so quick to dump Penn. He still had the 23rd best PFF grade for a OT last year. And that was a down year for him. Let him come to camp and see how he performs. Not sure you want to throw Miller out there day 1. And if Penn comes back motivated and in shape then the OL is better and has depth.
Just like Penn asked for money when he played good, he now has to take a pay cut for the crap he put on the field last year. Especially now since they took 2 young athletic tackles in the draft and we need the cap space to sign Bowman.
1) He’s a large man coming off a Lisfranc injury. All that weight on his foot doesn’t look like it’s a full recovery forth coming.
2) He’s 35…not 25… the older you get the more difficulty you have healing.
3) He’s behind the learning curve with the new offense.
4) He’s not expected to be back until Mini Camp at best. He will not be in shape.
5) He was fighting with Crabtree on the sidelines last year.
6) He was caught on film getting into an altercation with a fan in the parking lot.
7) He’s been reported as one of the problems in the locker room by beat reporters.
8) He’s well past his prime and we have options in Jalyn Ware, David Sharpe. Sharpe started against the Eagles and played well. Struggled against SD in the final game when everyone mailed it in.
9) Vadal is behind Feliciano, and probably Dever Kirkland if he’s healthy.
10) 5.5 million dollars in savings is not “a little” money. It’s a nice sum to add to what we can offer Bowman. Penn is only worth a roster space if he takes a 1-2 million dollar contract with hefty incentives. He’s not a commodity any longer. He tips the liability scale more than he does a starting LT in the NFL. Dude is done…he’s less valuable than the RT we signed from HOU. At least Gia can walk and he has experience in Cable’s system. Fat Rick James can kick rocks.
Very well said! The truth with Penn last year was he came back after his hold out completely flat/fat and out of shape. If anyone seen any interviews with him last summer on NFL Network he didn’t seem to care about talking good about Carr on live television, then he joins up with the team after extorting money, literally falls down during the first snap of the game and Carr goes down and we all hold our breath because we had just barely got over what happened to our franchise QB the season before thanks to his lack of effort. It doesn’t surprise me one bit to hear that he caused problems in the locker room or on the sidelines last year because I seen his shitty attitude before the start of the 2017 season. If he has the opportunity to play LT for the Raiders in 2018 I sure hope he comes in with a much better attitude and desire to make his millions!
Cut the fat bastard, and maybe find us a running back before we waste another season. I see all the people saying our offense is going to be so unstoppable! Stop, we have one of the weakest RB committees in the league, and Carr isn’t gonna pick up the slack. Give it two years, and we should be ready to really start playing like Gruden plans.
All you haters STFU.. listen to yourselves. He played well enough last year. It’s not his fault Carr was hurt and the defense sucked ***, like usual. Penn when healthy is a very good LT. Stop with all the hatred and acting like you know two shits about football.
Niners are looking for more fans.. go join them
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