Why the Raiders make sense for Wilson
Wilson has a no-trade clause in his contract. Knowing his criticisms of the Seahawks, he’s likely to join a team with a steady offensive line that’s intact. The Raiders don’t have any starters at the position on the books beyond the 2022 campaign, per Spotrac, though the club will likely extend left tackle Kolton Miller’s contract in the near future.
Other than Miller and center Rodney Hudson, we cannot say the Raiders have surefire long-term starters at the other three positions across the offensive line. Right tackle Trent Brown and right guard Gabe Jackson don’t have any dead money left over the final two years of their deals.
Richie Incognito will turn 38 years old in July coming off an Achilles injury, which required surgery. He doesn’t have any dead cash left on his contract either.
Mayock suggested the team needed more consistency from Brown, per Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Jackson had been the subject of trade talks last offseason (h/t NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport).
Here’s another tidbit to consider. Wilson wants some input in team decisions. Here’s an excerpt from The Athletic:
"“He spent part of last offseason lobbying for a more aggressive approach, according to a person familiar with the situation. Carroll pushed back. Wilson kept pleading his case, going so far as to offer his input on personnel decisions.”"
The Raiders’ operation runs through Gruden, so he’d have to at least share some power with Wilson, who’s also won a Super Bowl.