Oakland Raiders rumors: Derek Carr, Gabe Jackson extensions?

Heading toward a season with heightened expectations, the Oakland Raiders are trying to keep some key players around long-term.

The Oakland Raiders not only returned to the playoffs after an extended absence last season they also finished 12-4 to put the rest of the AFC on notice. If not for quarterback Derek Carr’s broken leg late in the regular season Oakland would have surely won at least one playoff game.

Most of the headlines surrounding the Raiders so far this offseason have centered around their move to Las Vegas, but there are increased expectations heading into the 2017 season. With a good draft later this month, and the looming addition of running back Marshawn Lynch at some point, the Raiders could enter the conversation as a legit Super Bowl contender.

Some of the Raiders core players are on the radar for long-term contracts, most notably Carr and linebacker Khalil Mack. It appears general manager Reggie McKenzie is trying to get ahead of the curve.

Carr’s status as a second-round pick in 2014 removes the fifth-year option for the Raiders, so getting him signed long-term is a fairly urgent matter. Mack, on the other hand, as the fifth overall pick in that 2014 draft,  carries a fifth-year option for 2018 that Oakland will surely exercise if a new deal can’t be reached.

Jackson was a third-round pick (No. 81 overall) by the Raiders, also in 2014. He has started 44 games over his three seasons, including all 16 games in back-to-back seasons. Jackson has also showed some semblance of versatility, moving from left guard to right guard last season to accommodate free agent signing Kelechi Osemele.

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Carr and Mack are obvious long-term priorities for the Raiders, and Jackson has been a stable part of a good offensive line since he arrived too. After a long run as a bottom-feeder, the new era for the Raiders looks promising no matter where they call home.