Quick Slants: Mack isn’t going anywhere

Khalil Mack absent from voluntary workouts!?

“Trade him!” “Why isn’t Mack a team player” were some of the hot-take reactions on social media.

The sheer lunacy. To suggest Mack be sent packing or won’t come to terms with Oakland is an absolutely asinine assertion.

He’s. Going. Nowhere.

“Mark (Davis) would come beat me across the head if I let some Hall of Fame-type player leave the building,” general manager Reggie McKenzie said back in September of 2016.

Mack’s absence was a business decision. He’s slated to earn $13.8 million (not chump change) this coming year after the Raiders exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Missing No. 52 at workouts raises more than a few eyebrows in Alameda. But not enough to warrant anything more than an aww-shucks shrug.

Yes, yes. April 9 was the first day of indoctrination for the Oakland Raiders. It was the player’s first dose of new head coach Jon Gruden, his coaching staff and strength & conditioning group.

But, gasp! The Raiders best defender was absent!

Would it be good for Mack to be present to soak in Chucky? Indeed. However, this and next week’s gatherings in Alameda are voluntary. It’s all about strength and conditioning.

I’ll put it plainly: You would be a bumbling simpleton to think Mack — who appears to be chiseled out of granite (vibranium for you new kids) — isn’t working out on his own.

Dude is in peak condition year in and year out. Plus, his job — regardless of defensive coordinator and schemes — is to drop the quarterback. Paul Guenther’s play calls may have a different language, but a sack is universally understood.

When Mack misses mandatory dates, then concern has merit.

Time to hit the Quick Slants:

• Listening to offers for Mack is an entirely different beast from actually dealing him. That said, four first rounders and two-second rounders is the only deal that makes me listen if I were McKenzie or Gruden.
• Wide receiver Jordy Nelson wasn’t kidding when he said he had no interest in buying No. 87 from Jared Cook. The veteran will sport No. 82.
• Cornerback Gareon Conley switched jersey numbers, too. He’ll be covering receivers with the No. 21.
• New corner Rashaan Melvin takes the Deuce Deuce from Conley. One island will feature 21, the other 22.
• Melvin’s swagger is refreshing. “If the NFL season started tomorrow your favorite WR will get locked up! ON ME!” he tweeted this past Monday.
• Tight end Derek Carrier is yoked. He’s come a long way physically from a collegiate wide receiver to an NFL tight end. I’m buying his blocking prowess more now.
• When Gruden said they got running back Doug Martin on the cheap, he wasn’t kidding. His base salary (per Over The Cap) is $850,000 and he can earn up to $1.47 million with a $525,000 and $100,000 roster bonuses. Prove it, defined.  
• New offensive tackle Breno Giacomini’s base salary is $1.01 million but he can earn up to $3.51 million with bonuses.
• New linebacker Tahir Whitehead carries a $3.1 million base salary and can pocket $6.37 million if he attains bonuses.