The Raiders made major changes on their offensive line this offseason, jettisoning two Pro Bowlers and their longest-tenured starter. Two or three first-year starters are expected to block for Derek Carr this season.
Prior to the Raiders separating from Rodney Hudson, Trent Brown and Gabe Jackson, the team offered the latter duo pay cuts in order to stay, Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes (subscription required). It is not known how substantial the proposed cuts were, but both Brown and Jackson declined the Raiders’ offers.
After reports surfaced Jackson would be cut, the Raiders found an 11th-hour trade partner and sent the seven-year guard starter to the Seahawks for a fifth-round pick. That pick (No. 167) became Illinois cornerback Nate Hobbs. The Raiders dealt Brown to the Patriots for a fifth as well; Las Vegas also sent New England a seventh-rounder in that swap. Both players have since reworked their contracts.
The Raiders gave Jackson a five-year, $56MM extension in June 2017; two non-guaranteed years remained on that deal. The Seahawks and Jackson have since agreed to a three-year, $22.58MM extension, which came with $16MM in total guarantees and $10.75MM fully guaranteed.
Given a then-tackle-record four-year, $66MM deal in March 2019, Brown battled injuries and COVID-19 last season. He made the Pro Bowl in 2019, however. Signing up for a second Brown stint, the Pats have the mammoth tackle under contract at $9MM for the 2021 season. He is due for free agency again in 2022. Brown did end up agreeing to a pay cut in New England, though incentives can take the pact up to $11MM.
Las Vegas has since drafted Alex Leatherwood in Round 1; he will be projected to take over for Brown at right tackle. Richie Incognito, who did agree to return at a reduced rate, and Denzelle Good are back in the fold at guard. John Simpson, a 2020 fourth-round pick, is also set to vie for Jackson’s old right guard spot as well. Andre James, who has since signed an extension himself, may well succeed Hudson at center.
The Las Vegas Raiders should be fun to follow, but they aren’t.
The Golden Knights are much more entertaining and talented right now.
This is straight out of the Ozzie Newsome playbook in Baltimore. Here is what we can afford for your services. If you get a better deal, thank you for understanding that this is a business deal.
I would guarantee that Gabe Jackson got a first class redirect to Seattle, Coach Tom Cable’s family extension. As well as Trent Brown being allowed to pick his destination.
The Raiders have saved money and have become younger and more athletic on the O-Line.
Another great example of playing well to get paid well….get paid well then start playing with nothing to play for.
I suspect it will take a while for the Raiders OL to develop continuity as a result of all the personnel changes. Leatherwood will be looking at a pretty steep learning curve in this situation.
I liked Jackson and Brown a lot, but they are aging, and expensive.