Raiders’ Khalil Mack Likely To Miss Games

The Raiders and Khalil Mack have made no progress in contract talks and the All-Pro defensive end is likely to miss regular-season games as a result, sources familiar with the standoff tell Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. The Raiders open their season on Sept. 10 against the Rams, so the two sides have less than two weeks to turn things around before Mack abstains from meaningful games. 

The Raiders have yet to make an offer to Mack, despite his prolonged holdout this offseason. Technically, the fifth-year veteran is tied to his $13.8MM fifth-year option, but Mack is willing to miss out on game checks that are worth more than $800K in order to make a point and force the Raiders into giving him a lucrative extension. Meanwhile, GM Reggie McKenzie does not expect Mack to report to the club until he has a contract in hand.

Because of the impasse, the Raiders have not ruled out trading Mack. There are at least four clubs seriously interested in making a deal for the defensive dynamo, and the Jets may be among those teams.

Apparently, things haven’t improved much since talks first stalled back in February. There have been no meaningful talks between the two sides in months, Robinson hears, and Mack’s side has taken a “pay him or trade him” stance with the Raiders.

Coach Jon Gruden has final say over the matter, but he has not been directly involved with the talks either. Robinson also hears that owner Mark Davis has the flexibility needed to give Mack a lucrative deal with guarantees, despite speculation about the Raiders’ finances. And, the two sides aren’t waiting on Rams star Aaron Donald to sign a deal. Still, with the season fast approaching, the lack of progress between the Raiders and Mack is troubling.

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