Raiders interior offensive line set for years to come
With Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson signed to a five-year extension, the interior of the offensive line is set for years to come.
Oakland Raiders guard Gabe Jackson has gone 1,365 snaps without allowing a sack, which is incredibly impressive. To put that number in context, Jackson and the other top three lineman on the team averaged around 70 snaps per game. Simple math tells us that puts Gabe at about 20 consecutive games played without letting Derek Carr go down. Ridiculous.
What makes this feat even more notable is that Jackson transitioned to right guard due to the addition of Kelechi Osemele in the offseason, who took over Gabe’s former role on the left side. Ask any offensive line coach and they will say the same thing — switching from one side of the line to another is much, much easier said than done. It’s not the simple Madden ’18 plug-and-play that just any player is capable of making.
In a press conference following the signing of his contract extension, Gabe touched on that transition:
"“To be honest, I was a little nervous about it. I didn’t know how it was going to turn out.”“Can’t get beat,” Jackson told himself. “This is what the situation is so you’ve got to adjust to it. Life is about adjustments.”"
So with the team announcing that Jackson had signed a five-year extension worth $56 million, know that he is worth every penny. Protecting your investment — aka your franchise quarterback — is a top three priority for any team, behind only finding said franchise quarterback and finding a pass rusher (or two) to get after other team’s opposing quarterbacks. Everything else comes second. Reggie McKenzie has accomplished all three, and specifically on the subject of protecting Derek Carr, he has done a brilliant job in building the offensive line, and locking up Jackson is the latest evidence of that.
"“I knew both Rodney and KO prior to them signing with us, mostly from watching them on film,” Jackson said Monday. “Those guys worked their butts off and were for being good players, so I figured I had a shot. There were no promises and nothing was guaranteed, but if I kept doing little things right and improving as a player, I believed I could find a long-term home here.”"
The first year cap hit is currently unknown, but based on his annual salary, he is now the fourth highest paid guard in the NFL. Gabe will turn 26 on July 12th, so he’s smack dab in the middle of his prime, and certainly can maintain his elite level of play for the duration of his contract.
"“I feel honored and blessed because all the hard work and years leading up to this, the work I put in and the sacrifices, it’s finally here,” Jackson said. “It’s not that I can relax, but I don’t have to worry about another deal. I just worry about playing football and winning a championship.”"
So what’s Gabe going to do with his big payday? Not much.
"“Nothing big,” Jackson said. “I’m just going to find some land in Mississippi and build a house. Eventually.”"
With Gabe locked up, the best interior offensive line is set for years to come. Rodney Hudson is 27 and signed through the 2019 season. Kelechi Osemele just turned 28 and is signed through the 2020 season. And Jackson is signed through the 2022 season.
Three players who are among the best at their position (if not the best, in the case of Osemele) in the prime of their careers. It’s an expensive line, but as the Raiders have learned, it’s an investment worth making. Not only to protect Derek Carr, but to boast a dynamic, dominant run game to balance the team’s high-powered offense.