With first-round pick Gareon Conley finally cleared of sexual assault allegations, the drama at Raiders training camp officially shifts to veteran holdout Donald Penn.
Hoping the Raiders will restructure his deal, Penn did not report to camp on Friday and remains in limbo until the sides can reach a resolution.
What that resolution will look like is anyone’s guess, but this much we know: the Raiders aren’t happy.
Reports have suggested the team was blindsided by Penn’s holdout, but an NFL Media report indicated that the Raiders were aware of Penn’s desire for a new deal and were approached around the time of the combine and again three weeks ago.
Ironically, it was three weeks ago that Penn told NFL Total Access that he was playing two win a Super Bowl and “not playing for money or anything like that.”
Without question, Penn has outplayed his salary in each of his three seasons in Oakland. Despite playing a premium position, Penn has been one of the best bargains on the Raiders’ roster.
Penn’s career is winding down and he’ll make around $7 million this year. He wants to be paid like a top ten left tackle.
But will the Raiders see it that way?
As a player, Penn has leverage over the team, but at 34 years-old can he really afford to throw away a year’s salary on principle? Obviously the Raiders know he can’t, but do they want to risk injuring a $125 million quarterback in a preseason stalemate with their Pro Bowl left tackle?
The Raiders have plenty of salary cap space to give Penn a bump in pay, but it would set a precedent general manager Reggie McKenzie would like to avoid.
A tough call for sure and time is ticking on a resolution.
A recent twitter poll suggests most believe it will be Penn who ultimately caves and shows up without a new contract.
POLL: Who do you believe will cave first?
— Raiders Beat (@RaidersBeat) August 1, 2017
The Raiders first preseason game is only 12 days away.
Tick… tick… tick…
twitter: @raidersbeat
Pay Penn!
Giving into a holdout can be destructive for a team. Penn has a contract and at his age, it’s a good one. Reggie said just the other day that He doesn’t negotiate with people that aren’t in camp. If he even wants to think about a new deal he had better quit slacking and get to camp. If not, my guess is he’ll be gone and the Raiders will move on by moving K.O to LT and Gabe back to the left side. Then one of the young guys will fill the right guard position and Newhouse or Alexander will take RT. Is it ideal? Nope. Is it workable and still win a Superbowl? You betcha. Then they’ll draft a new LT or bring in a free agent next year. Where will that leave Donald? Unemployed at 34 waiting for an injury so He can get a job. Maybe someone signs him pretty quick but not for 11 or 12 million a year. Not only that but how’s he going to feel watching the Raiders win the Superbowl while he’s playing for the 3-13 Rams or something similar?