10 NFL stars who must be extended this preseason

By Ian Wharton | Aug 10, 2018

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 03: Defensive end Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after a tackle against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 32-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 10: Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) in the fourth quarter of an AFC West showdown between the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs on December 10, 2017 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. The Chiefs won 26-15. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Khalil Mack, Edge, Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders’ contract standstill with star edge defender Khalil Mack has been forged by irresponsible planning and maybe the most cash-poor owner in the NFL. Owner Mark Davis is certainly not hurting for money relative to thhe general public, but because his main source of income is the NFL, it’s not like he has a second billion-dollar business in the background to help fund new contracts. It’s left the team in a tight financial situation as Mack seeks long-term stability.

Mack’s justifiably looking for a deal to eclipse Von Miller’s mammoth six-year, $114.5 million contract that was signed two years ago. The cap has continued to rise, and Mack’s the same age as Miller was relative to the start of their contracts. Former agent and CBS Sports expert Joel Corry most recently predicted that Mack will get at least $21 million per-year. Oakland needs to make it happen.

Yes, it’s a lot of money for a team already carrying massive contracts for Derek Carr, Gabe Jackson and Kelechi Osemele. But it’s not Mack’s fault that general manager Reggie McKenzie paid top-of-the-market prices for those players. Nor is it his fault the team overpaid veterans Bruce Irvin, Tahir Whitehead, Jared Cook, Marcus Gilchrist and Seth Roberts.

Still, the Raiders can make this right before the season starts. Restructuring Jackson’s and Osemele’s deals would open upwards of $10 million in cap space, giving the team closer to $16 million of room, per OverTheCap. Mack’s set to earn nearly $14 million this season on his fifth-year option, and the Raidiers don’t need to add to that to get a deal done, but rather present new money, and just top Miller’s guaranteed percentage (36.7 percent).

Proposed contract extension: Five years, $105 million, $38.9 million guaranteed.