Although Karl Joseph‘s stay on the trade block did not produce a departure, unlike other Reggie McKenzie first-round picks last year, the Raiders will not add a year onto the safety’s rookie contract.
The Raiders opted to decline the safety’s fifth-year option, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). Jon Gruden confirmed this Friday, per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com.
This runs contrary to a February report indicating the Raiders were considering exercising Joseph’s option. But this points a path out of Oakland for yet another of McKenzie’s high picks. Since Gruden arrived, he has shipped out first- or second-round picks Khalil Mack, Amari Cooper, Mario Edwards, Jihad Ward and Obi Melifonwu. Joseph is now in a contract year.
A 2016 first-round pick, Joseph was a part-time starter for the 2018 Raiders. He played with the first-string defense in eight games. With Lamarcus Joyner now signed and Gruden openly expressing his affinity for first-round pick Johnathan Abram‘s skill set, Joseph’s role is now even more uncertain.
trade him to the cowboys
Only 9 more years to go Oak/LV Raiders.
As a chiefs fan and Raider hater i saw this guy a lot. Arguably best player after Mack left. Seems like the 1 guy you wanna keep.
Joseph is gonna trainwreck our receivers first time he plays against us.