The Oakland Raiders have to pay quarterback Derek Carr and right guard Gabe Jackson in their contract years. Will the team recoup cash for cap flexibility?
We're approaching post-June 1 cuts when teams can dump salaries and save some cash. The Oakland Raiders may not release right tackle Austin Howard during the first wave of cuts, but there's a very low probability that he makes the 53-man roster in September.
For starters, general manager Reggie McKenzie must pay the franchise quarterback, Derek Carr, who expressed confidence in getting a deal done before training camp, per Fresno Bee reporter Anthony Galaviz:
I have an agent who is in charge of that and I am confident that he and Mr. (Reggie) McKenzie will work it out. I am only focused on becoming a better football player and helping my teammates become better players.
I have complete faith it will get done before training camp. These things take time. The Raiders know I want to be here; this is my family, and I know they want me to be their quarterback.
In an interview with the 95.7 The Game, McKenzie spoke about Carr remaining a Raider for the long term with confidence:
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"I kind of keep that as kind of being my mantra and kind of keep that personally in house, but bottom line is we love Derek and we want to keep him and we're going to do everything to make sure this contract gets done," McKenzie said.
What does that mean for Howard? Well, the Raiders have $31.5 million in cap space, per Spotrac. Carr's current deal carries a $1.7 million cap hit. His new contract will add at least $24 million per year on the books. Bleacher Reporter's Jason Cole noted the extension could top Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck's six-year, $140 million contract.
If Cole's report holds true, Carr's new deal will suck the air from the cap room. Furthermore, the team plans to extend offensive guard Gabe Jackson, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:
Contract note: #Raiders expected to pursue an extension with G Gabe Jackson, along with QB Derek Carr this offseason. Khalil Mack next one.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 17, 2017
Jackson's current deal carries a $1.9 million cap hit. The 2014 third-round pick switched from left to right on the offensive line, played well at both guard positions and went through the previous season without allowing a sack, per Pro Football Focus:
Only four offensive guards didn't allow a sack last year.
Two of them play for the @Raiders. pic.twitter.com/N24yj6PHt8
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) May 12, 2017
The Raiders will likely pay Jackson $8-9 million on an extension, which puts him in the top-10 among highest-paid guards in the league. As a result, McKenzie will spend at least $32 million on contract extensions alone. Keep in mind, the team hasn't signed its top three rookies yet.
In order to regain cap flexibility, another veteran has to hit an early exit on the Raiders' 2017 journey. The team recouped $4.5 million after cutting defensive tackle Dan Williams. McKenzie can save $5 million by dumping Howard's contract post-June 1, per Overthecap.com.
Oakland signed a cheaper veteran alternative at right tackle in Marshall Newhouse. He's set to make $1.75 million in 2017. McKenzie drafted two offensive tackles in David Sharpe, who's lined up at right tackle during practices (h/t SiriusXM NFL Radio), and Jylan Ware. Second-year pro Vadal Alexander returns with experience blocking at the position.
Howard will miss a majority of the offseason program as he recovers from two offseason shoulder surgeries. The seventh-year pro will likely lose his roster spot shortly before the preseason if he's not released in June for cap relief.
It's never satisfying to predict cuts, but it's still a business. The Raiders will likely need cap room to sign a veteran linebacker at some point during the offseason.
All player contract deals provided by Spotrac, unless otherwise noted.
