To build a solid roster throughout, a good general manager must utilize the NFL Draft, as well as free agency. For Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock, his returns have been up and down, as he has struggled in free agency, but has brought in some quality talent via the draft.
While the draft and free agency is always a hot topic, one of the team-building aspects that are often overlooked, however, is extending the contracts of players that are already on the roster.
This has been a specific area of weakness for the Raiders organization over the last decade. The Raiders have not signed a first-round pick to a contract extension since Darren McFadden in 2014. That means, over the last twelve years, the franchise did not deem any of their first-round selections worthy of a second contract.
That is, well, not good.
Whether it be due to poor drafting, terrible free-agent signings, or simply the inability to keep their own players around, the Raiders have not been able to consistently keep franchise players around on their roster. It was not too long ago that Jon Gruden and the Raiders chose to trade away perennial DPOY candidate Khalil Mack, instead of keeping him around with a substantial contract extension.
Now, the Raiders find themselves with more decisions to make when it comes to keeping their own players in the Silver and Black. With the new league year soon to begin, Gruden and Mayock will have a lot of important factors to consider when reviewing who is eligible for a contract extension.
There are several players on the Raiders who will be eligible for this, but there are only a few that Mayock and Gruden should truly consider extending. The Raiders have pieces on their roster that can be crucial in future success throughout Gruden’s tenure in Las Vegas who are coming up on free agency in 2022, including their current franchise quarterback.
As we approach the beginning of the NFL offseason festivities, let’s take a look at three different players whose contracts that Mike Mayock, Jon Gruden, and the Las Vegas Raiders should extend as soon as possible.