Oakland Raiders worse off after Khalil Mack trade
By Joel W. Cade
The Oakland Raiders have been in a contract battle with Khalil Mack for some time. Trading Mack makes them a worse football team.
The Oakland Raiders do not know what to do with Khalil Mack. In a move that smacks of sheer incompetence and organizational dysfunction, they have agreed to trade Mack to the Chicago Bears, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
While details regarding the compensation coming in return are still not fully reported, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Bears will send two first-round picks and something else to Oakland in the trade.
The question that should plague Raiders fans is, was this a good move for the future? Mack is a known quantity. He is the first player to be named All-Pro at two positions in the same year. He is not easily replaced. The loss of Mack brings the playoff and Super Bowl chances of the Raiders down significantly in 2018, and likely beyond that as well.
The gain for Mack, given that it’s two first-round picks as the base of the deal, is based on speculation. The Raiders will have great ammunition in the draft, but if they cannot evaluate talent and pick the right people, then they will be in the same conversation with teams like the Cleveland Browns.
The draft is a gamble at any level. That’s why we have discussions about first-round busts all the time. What’s more, even if they hit on those picks, will either one or both combine to equal what Mack brought to the team?
Next. Winners and losers from Khalil Mack trade. dark
This is not a smart trade. The Raiders would have been better off keeping the All-Pro, All-world, All-Universe Mack. The Raiders got worse on Saturday.
Welcome to the Jon Gruden era. Players seeking contract extensions beware! The Raiders have the money to pay. But if you ask for too much you may get shipped out.