Oakland Raiders: A few points to help cope with grief in a post-Mack world
By Kevin Saito
Free Agents Will Shun Team
One of the other most popular old chestnuts that’s been making the rounds is that given how the team handled the Mack contract situation, it’s going to make it impossible for them to land top-flight free agents.
It’s a ridiculous argument, given that one has nothing to do with the other. It’s comparing apples to Greyhound buses.
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Where it will have an impact perhaps, is on the young guys playing on their rookie deals. The perception among them might be that the organization is unwilling to pay top dollar to top players. That’s a real issue and one they’ll have to find a way navigate through.
And, just in time to test that theory, Amari Cooper will be playing out his rookie deal soon enough. Of course, he’s going to have to prove that he’s deserving of top dollar, by putting up numbers this year, instead of the steaming pile he did last year.
But, the idea that a free agent is going to turn down Oakland’s money is ridiculous. We’ll definitely see the dynamic at work next season since, given the newfound cap flexibility created by Mack’s departure, the Raiders will have the opportunity to bid on some free agents when they hit the market.
The biggest reason Mack’s situation will not impact free agent signings is because one has nothing to do with the other. Rookie deals (and subsequent extensions), and free agent signings are two different animals entirely.
Do you really believe that if the Raiders pitch a free agent, and make him a better offer than what he’s received elsewhere, that he’ll say – “Gee, I’d like to take that pile of money, but I saw the way you did Khalil, so I’m going to pass, thanks.”
Yeah, okay.
A contract extension for a guy playing on his rookie deal (which is what Mack’s situation was), is completely different than offering a free agent coming in off the street, say, a three-year deal.
It might impact their own in-house talent, but Mack’s situation, and subsequent trade, are not going to have an impact Oakland’s ability to attract top free agent talent on the market.