Raiders continue to lock up core players: The Raiders now have two players from their excellent 2014 draft class signed long-term after the team and Gabe Jackson agreed on a five-year, $56MM contract. This makes Jackson the sixth member of the $10MM-AAV club for guards, and he joins fellow Raider blocker Kelechi Osemele in that group. The Raiders already have Rodney Hudson signed to a top-market center contract and Donald Penn on the books for $7.15MM in 2017. But Reggie McKenzie said the team wanted to extend Jackson despite Derek Carr (and almost certainly Khalil Mack) set to take up a sizable percentage of future Raiders caps, and the parties completed a deal that keeps Oakland’s interior line together. Carr left money on the table to help the Raiders sign Jackson.
But Mack will have to wait: Despite being the most accomplished of the Raiders’ three standout 2014 picks, with two first-team All-Pro distinctions and the 2016 defensive player of the year honor, Mack will have to wait until 2018 to receive his landmark extension. This could end up costing the Raiders in the long run due to the annual cap spikes, and it’s likely Mack will be in line to surpass Von Miller‘s six-year, $114MM deal and set a new benchmark for defenders. Mack not having a fifth-year option would make him a higher priority, but with the dominant defensive end signed through ’18, his extension may be delayed by a numbers game.
Zach Orr to unretire; several teams inquire: From a volume standpoint, Orr became the week’s centerpiece news item. The former Ravens linebacker announced he was considering unretiring after receiving more positive medical news on his congenital spine condition that initially forced him to retire. Then, the Lions, Colts and Jets each set up visits. Orr’s agent also said about half the league’s teams contacted him about the 2016 Baltimore tackles leader. The Ravens are divided on whether to renew interest in Orr, whom they did not tender as an RFA. However, the process is moving slowly. The Colts visit was more of an exploratory session, and the team has concerns about Orr’s condition. For his part, Orr said he’s feeling better than ever. Teams will obviously be careful in this pursuit, though.
Nick Fairley to miss 2017 season: After speaking with at least three doctors, the Saints defensive tackle will not play in 2017. The team placed the seventh-year veteran on the NFI list due to his heart condition, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports Fairley’s career may be over. The 29-year-old defender played well for the Saints in 2016 and signed a four-year, $28MM deal to stay in New Orleans after agreeing to one-year pacts in both 2015 and ’16.
Franchise tag drama persists: Three tagged performers remain unsigned, and this week brought updates on each’s status with his respective team. Kirk Cousins and the Redskins don’t appear to be much closer to a deal, with Schefter reporting an extension by July 17 looms as a long shot. However, he adds that the tone of the talks improved, even if progress hasn’t accompanied it. ESPN’s Diana Russini noted later that the sides aren’t particularly enamored with one another but realize they need to work together. Meanwhile, Le’Veon Bell and the Steelers are likely going down to the wire. Schefter estimates this could go either way. The fifth-year running back is recovered from his groin surgery and didn’t seem stressed by the tag deadline being two weeks away. Trumaine Johnson, however, doesn’t look to be set to sign a Rams extension. The odds are now incredibly slim the cornerback and his team will agree on a contract before the deadline, meaning Johnson would again play a season on the tag.