Report: Raiders, DE Mack not talking contract, no offer on table
The Oakland Raiders and defensive end Khalil Mack have had no contract talks since February, and the team does not currently have an offer on the table, according to an NFL Network report Tuesday.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the deal "is not something that, at present, is currently being worked on," despite the pass-rusher's holdout from training camp.
The team has consistently said it plans to re-sign Mack to a long-term deal as he enters the final year of his contract, but there have been no indications of progress, and Mack skipped all of the Raiders' offseason workouts before failing to report to training camp last week.
Head coach Jon Gruden has been vocal about wanting to get Mack in camp, but he also said in comments on Monday that Oakland's defense wasn't effective enough in 2017 even with Mack.
"We weren't very good last year on defense with Khalil Mack," Gruden said on NFL Network. "... We've got to get a better pass rush, we've got to play better defense, period. And we hope Khalil gets here, but in the time being, we've got plenty of guys who need work."
Pro Football Talk reported Monday that some wonder if the Raiders are financially able to give Mack -- who is likely seeking to exceed Von Miller's six-year, $114 million deal that included $70 million guaranteed -- the type of contract he wants.
That concern relates less to the Raiders' limited cap space (around $4.5 million, 26th in the NFL) than to the team's fungible cash. An outdated rule in the collective bargaining agreement requires teams to put all guaranteed money for signed contracts in escrow, a rule that can limit team's financial flexibility when it comes to blockbuster contracts. The Raiders gave quarterback Derek Carr more than $70 million guaranteed on an extension last June, and they owe the NFL a $378 million relocation fee for their expected move to Las Vegas.
Mack could be waiting for Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, to help define the market with his own contract extension. Whenever Donald signs, his contract is expected to be historic among NFL defenders.
Mack, the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, will make $13.85 million this season in the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, after he earned $18.7 million through his first four seasons.
The 27-year-old has 40.5 sacks, three Pro Bowl appearances and two first-team All-Pro nods in his career while starting all 64 games.
--Field Level Media
