The Raiders are reportedly asking left tackle Donald Penn to accept a pay cut in advance of the 2018 season, and it’s possible Oakland could trade the veteran offensive lineman if he declines the request, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link).
That the Raiders would be open to dealing Penn shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as the club is likely attempting to generate trade interest in lieu of a release. If Penn refuses to lower his 2018 base salary, Oakland will consider cutting him, but a trade would be preferential on two fronts.
First, the Raiders would pick up some sort of compensation in exchange for Penn, something they wouldn’t do in the event of a release. And an acquiring club would take on Penn’s 2018 base salary (which includes $3MM in full guarantees), freeing up more cap space for Oakland.
Penn, 35, is scheduled to earn a $6MM salary in 2018, and is also eligible to collect up to $1.75MM in per-game roster bonuses. Those figures are the result of Penn’s 2017 training camp holdout, which ended when he agreed to a two-year, $21MM extension that runs through the 2019 campaign.
Last year, Penn started 14 games for the Raiders, grading as the NFL’s No. 12 offensive tackle per Pro Football Focus before being placed on injured reserve with a foot issue. 2017, notably, marked the first season of Penn’s career in which he failed to appear in all 16 games. If Penn is traded or released, Oakland would deploy rookie first-round pick Kolton Miller on Derek Carr‘s blindside.
Steelers need some OL help
Which team are you watching because the steelers do not.
Queens need some OL help at guard but they’re broke from overpaying on their QB and WR and still have to try to sign Barr.
Browns.
Would love him in Seattle
Normally you would never find a 35 yr old player in high demand but all the decent LTs have been locked up for 4 years or more. Raiders need to be very confident they have a replacement before pulling the trigger on a trade. They should get some decent value in return in they are determined to part with Penn.
Not only is Penn old but he is overrated. He was awful in the run game last year (no push at point of attack and too slow to get to second level) which is undoubtedly why Gruden wants desperately to get rid of him. They will be lucky to get a 6th round pick for him.
Not only is Penn old but he is overrated. He was awful in the run game last year (no push at point of attack and too slow to get to second level) which is undoubtedly why Gruden wants desperately to get rid of him. They will be lucky to get a 6th round pick for him.