The Raiders don't seem concerned about not yet singing the "Return of Khalil Mack" in training camp. Unfortunately, Oakland does not realize the situation with the All-Pro pass-rusher is a bad look that takes away many of the good vibes tied to the return of coach Jon Gruden.
When asked last week about Mack's holdout for a contract extension that would make him one of the NFL's highest-paid defensive players, Gruden was quick to point out that, even with the league's 2016 defensive player of the year, Oakland's defense was not great in 2017. General manager Reggie McKenzie told Raider Nation not to panic, but it's hard to buy those rational thoughts.
Regardless of when or if Gruden has talked to Mack, there clearly is a huge disconnect between the superstar player and the Raiders decision-makers. The team is the side that needs to do more to bridge the gap.
This is nothing new in the NFL when it comes to players who have outplayed rookie deals and are seeking new contracts as soon as possible. The first-round rookie wage scale is team-friendly, and that advantage becomes ridiculous for later-round picks who become elite.
Mack is in line to make what the Raiders (and most humans) consider fine money for 2018 — $13.85 million. But everything is relative. Based on average annual salary, that ranks Mack behind 25 other defensive players. Keep in mind, too, that Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, taken in the second round in 2014 behind Mack at No. 5 overall, is making $25 million per year after getting his bank-breaking deal last summer.
MORE: NFL's highest-paid players in 2018
Sure, quarterbacks are the kings of NFL salaries, and that won't change anytime soon. But Carr is coming off a shaky post-contract year. Although Mack was not quite the dominant force last season he was in 2016, he was still the best Raider on the field.
Mack has not been treated as the same kind of core player, and he has plenty of justification for feeling that way. He has excelled at two difficult positions, both outside linebacker and end. It's not his fault the Raiders have not had the personnel and scheme to raise the rest of the defense.
With Paul Guenther installing his base 4-3 scheme, Mack is set up to be used more effectively than ever. Guenther knows he needs his "centerpiece" to ease the transition and raise the impact, and the Raiders need a happy Mack on the attack.
The Raiders hired Gruden because their messy 6-10 season resulted in an attempt throw things back to the early 2000s. They paid him a ton, but the Raiders also appealed to Gruden because of what could be with Carr and Mack as the team's leaders. Gruden should be the first person who wants Mack taken care of ASAP.
Oakland is a little handcuffed by the salary cap, but that's because it invested in free agents like Jordy Nelson, Tahir Whitehead and Rashaan Melvin (close to $20 million in combined cap hit). In fact, the Raiders could use a reworked contract for Mack to provide some cap relief going forward. Other teams would gladly pay such a transcendent edge-rusher.
MORE: NFL's highest-paid defensive players
An NFL team making out the underpaid player to be the bad guy is typical, but it's not working for Oakland. Some of that old dysfunction is creeping in when, with Gruden, the Raiders should be more functional than they have been in years.
Mack appears to be in it for the long haul until he gets what he wants. If the situation gets ugly enough for the Raiders to put Mack on the trading block, they will be losers no matter what they get in return.
