As the details of Aldon Smith’s contract continue to emerge, it’s becoming apparent that he was set on playing for the Raiders. This morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that three teams offered Smith more money than Oakland.
Discussed Aldon Smith on @NFLGameDay. He’ll play about 20 plays today. Chose OAK over offers from Jags, Bucs, Skins. Took the 4th best money
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 13, 2015
Then there’s this… according to NBC Sports’ Mike Florio, two of the teams (Tampa Bay and Jacksonville) in talks with Smith offered him roughly twice as much money as the Raiders.
It’s been widely reported that Smith wanted to remain close to his support system in the area and his agent acknowledged that Justin Tuck played no small part in the process of drawing the former All-Pro to Oakland.
Thank you to long time client @JustinTuck for helping bring Aldon smith to @RAIDERS class act bro!
— Doug Hendrickson (@DHendrickson41) September 11, 2015
One other detail of Smith’s contract that could become relevant after the season is that unlike Greg Hardy’s deal with the Cowboys, there’s no provision in Smith’s deal prohibiting the Raiders from using the franchise tag on him in 2016.
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