The Raiders have not “slammed the door” on the concept of trading edge rusher Khalil Mack, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, who adds four unknown teams are “seriously” exploring a potential Mack acquisition.
A number of teams have reportedly inquired on Mack, the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, but it sounds as though a small group of clubs are interested in taking talks to the next level. Any negotiations involving Mack would surely involve at least one first-round pick, but Florio reports Oakland is playing “coy” regarding its asking price.
As of late July, the Raiders hadn’t made Mack an offer. Mack, for his part, could be waiting for Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald to end his holdout and sign a contract making him the NFL’s highest-paid defender, a deal that Mack could then build upon and surpass. Oakland does not expect Mack to report to the club until he has a contract in hand.
Mack, 27, has been a wrecking ball since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2014. A three-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, Mack has totaled 40.5 sacks over his first four NFL seasons. In 2017, Pro Football Focus graded Mack as the NFL’s seventh-best edge defender.
Thus far, the only team that’s been definitively linked to Mack is the Jets, who have asked about not only Mack, but Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler.
This Chargers fan hopes they trade him! Pats will give them a 1 plus more.
yep and use that pass rusher to get to another Superbowl.
The Patriots would have to unburden themselves of Gronks contract to acquire Mack and that seems very unlikely to happen.
Gronk for Mack?
It would be an intriguing trade if Gronk were still in his prime but injuries have taken their toll.
He led the league in yards for a TE last year and had 8 TDs. Remind me how he’s not In his prime? Better yet, can you name a better TE?
Raiders have far greater needs than a TE and Gronk is 2 years older than Mack. Gronk’s next stop will be Canton and he has already expressed a desire to play out the rest of his career with the Patriots.
I did not disagree that TE might not be the biggest need for the Raiders, but that wasn’t what you said that brought on my response. You stated he was past his prime and that’s what I was looking for clarity on.
Age and injuries lessen the value of a player in the eyes of owners. That’s not a knock against Gronk, it’s just how things work in sports.
Just pay the man Oakland. You gave 100 million to a head coach. Give it to the guy that makes that defense relevant. Without Mack that team wont sniff the playoffs
Regardless of how the Mack situation is resolved there is just too much of a power struggle going on within the Raiders for them to reach the playoffs.
The Browns and Colts are the only teams that have the cap space to acquire Mack by offering straight up draft picks and that is not likely to happen . Everyone else will have to not only offer a number one pick but clear a big contract from their roster to accommodate Mack’s payday which will be north of 80MM.
49ers do
Niners have a good cap situation but they have invested 3 first round picks on their defensive line the past couple of seasons and seem content to allow those guys to mature. They are a few years away from being a title contender so they really have no incentive to rush out and spend a fortune on Mack.
That’s true but getting Mack means you can move armstead inside with d buck and have him and Thomas on the outside. That’d be serious.
Bears do too and they have the advantage of a qb on a rookie deal ala Seattle a few years ago
I would be shocked if Mack is actually traded. Packers make some sense. Patriots and Steelers, make sense too, but not sure about cap figures. Need at least $15MM or have to make additional moves to facilitate a new Mack contract.
Packers have to re-up on Rodgers so that won’t leave money to acquire a Mack size contract. Steelers could work a deal if they had an solid heir apparent behind Ben but Raiders already have Carr so they aren’t looking for help at the QB position.
Mack for Bridgewater just makes too much sense I guess…
The Bears have the Cap Space and Pace isn’t afraid to trade picks. Mack is only one year older then Floyd so give up your first next year and a 3rd in 2020. He makes the Bears a top 5 D
As a Bears fan I couldn’t help but laugh at this. We watched the Bears front office try to nickel and dime their top draft pick for more than 2 months and you expect them to suddenly start tossing big money at Mack?
Mack, Floyd and Smith would be deadly! They weren’t nickel and dimming Smith, he was reluctant to sign over money lost with this ridiculous new helmet rule.
Bears management was looking for an avenue to void some of that guaranteed money which means they are cheapskates no matter what kind of spin you want to use. This is nothing new as they have a long history of trying to chisel their top talent for a few bucks.
the Jets make so much sense!!! Bridgewater, 1st, and a future pick. Do whatever it takes to get him
They don’t need bridgewater. They’d have to pony up 2 first round picks. So would everyone else.
That’s a terrible offer unless the future pick is another first rounder. Bridgewater holds close to no value to the Raiders. After the Jets traded away a bunch of picks to move up for Darnold, trading two future first rounders is the last thing they should do.
Bell for Mack straight up
I said the same thing yesterday in the comment section.
That both Bell and the Steelers prefer to end the relationship is the leagues worst kept secret, so the Raiders can simply play a waiting game rather than give up Mack.
Let’s go Colts!!!
Trade the ungrateful bum!
How is he ungrateful? Mack is one of the best DE/OLB in the league and has been the Raiders’ defense since he was drafted.
He signed a contract yet doesn’t want to play under the agreed upon contract.
You can always be creative with cap space. If the new time trades for him and gives him a new contract as well they could move things around on his contract to make it work.