The Oakland Raiders were not active during free agency this current offseason as they let free agents such as running back Latavius Murray and tight end Mychal Rivera, a Southern California native, sign with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars respectively.
The Raiders have seemed passive in free agency, as their “splash signing” was former Packers tight end Jared Cook who signed a 2-year contract worth $10.6 million. In total, Oakland’s 2017 signees will account for a $10.23 million cap hit, nothing to break the bank for, and there’s a reason why.
Contract note: #Raiders expected to pursue an extension with G Gabe Jackson, along with QB Derek Carr this offseason. Khalil Mack next one.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 17, 2017
Ian Rapport of NFL Network says that the Raiders will try to sign both guard Gabe Jackson and quarterback Derek Carr to extensions this offseason. Star linebacker Khalil Mack will be the next one in line. Signing these three players will not come cheap but this is why general manager Reggie McKenzie refrained himself from going into a shopping spree.
The Raiders count with $27 million in cap space as of writing. This space will help the Raiders sign three of their core players. They might demand market value contracts (as they should) but McKenzie took a methodical approach in free agency in order to sign them all to massive deals.
Carr, Jackson and Mack are core players and by taking it easy in free agency, Reggie McKenzie is making sure that they stay in Oakland (well, Las Vegas) for years to come.
All numbers provided via Sportrac unless stated otherwise.
Which Raiders Rookie Has A Chance To Start Day 1? (raiderramble.com)