Raiders: Johnathan Hankins decides to re-sign, and here is why

Johnathan Hankins agrees to terms with the Las Vegas Raiders, signing his fourth-consecutive contract with the team.

Heading in the 2018 season, the then-Oakland Raiders were ready to roll with the defensive tackle duo of Justin Ellis and PJ Hall. Unfortunately for the Silver and Black, Ellis suffered a foot injury during a Week 1 loss against the Los Angeles Rams, landing him on the injured reserve list.

In a corresponding move, the Raiders announced the signing of defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins.

Neither side knew it at the time, but Hankins would end up being an anchor on the defensive line for years to come. On April 1st of 2022, the 340lb defensive tackle went on to sign his fourth contract with the team.

In his four seasons with the Raiders, “Big Hank” is responsible for 172 tackles, with 13 being in the backfield, and 2.5 being sacks. Only four contests were missed in this timespan, with three-of-the-four coming last season.

Given Hankins’s constant availability and consistency, most notably against the run, it’s not much of a surprise why three different general managers for the Raiders have offered him a contract. What’s more of a mystery is why the defensive tackle continuously decides to come back; That’s what we’re here to discuss.