Could the Raiders’ Khalil Mack be Headed to Green Bay?

• Preseason holdout Khalil Mack could be on the way out of Oakland and sportsbooks have odds on his next team
• Could Mack be traded to the NFC and join Aaron Rodgers and the Packers?
• Which other teams could be in the running for the star defensive end?

Khalil Mack is unhappy with his contract and seeking an extension. Mack has sat out both of Oakland’s preseason games so far. With no progress in negotiations, sportsbooks have released odds on which team Mack will be playing on after the NFL trade deadline on November 1, 2018.

What Team Will Khalil Mack be on Nov. 1, 2018?

One of the Best at his Position

Mack is a three-time Pro Bowler over the course of his four-year career in the league. He has yet to miss a regular season game and has posted double-digit sacks in each of the past three seasons. In 2017 he recorded a career-high 61 tackles.

Khalil Mack Career Stats

Among some of the league’s top defensive players, Mack has the fourth-most sacks in the league since he entered in 2014, as well as the most tackles and tackles for loss. It’s clear to see Mack, the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, is a key piece to what Oakland does on defense. But he also could be a massive addition to another team in the league.

Raiders DE Khalil Mack will not report to team before its second preseason game Saturday, per source, meaning he will be fined another $814,000, bringing his two missed preseason game total to $1.628 million. More important for both sides: there is no end in sight, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 16, 2018

Packers Are Favored to Land Khalil Mack

With one year at $13.846 million left on his rookie deal in Oakland, the Raiders are still surprisingly not favored to retain Mack’s services. The Packers are the betting favorites at +200. Rumors seem to be swirling around Green Bay as Mack’s next destination likely because they could have the most to offer.

After a trade with New Orleans in the draft, Green Bay possess two first round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft. While they don’t have a ton of cap space this year ($11,210,535 according to Overthecap.com), they have have much more space opening up over the next couple years and could restructure some contracts.

Mack would instantly improve a Packers’ defense that was a lowly 22nd in the league in yards allowed per game with 348.9. Strangely, they were actually one spot ahead of the 23rd ranked Raiders. Green Bay also ranked in the bottom half of the league in sacks at 17th with 37.

The Packers have typically been a team that values draft picks but they are certainly entering “win-now” territory.

The Packers have typically been a team that values draft picks but they are certainly entering “win-now” territory. Aaron Rodgers is coming off a major injury in 2017 and is now 34-years-old. Star linebacker Clay Matthews is also 32. The window is surely closing and what better way for new GM Brian Gutekunst to put his stamp on the team than landing the stud defensive end.

.@AdamSchein spoke to Packers GM Brian Gutekunst about potentially trading for Khalil Mack #T2S pic.twitter.com/MO3jVeRoC3

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) August 16, 2018

Other Destinations for Khalil Mack

From a salary cap perspective the Chicago Bears have the most flexibility with $26,358,707 remaining according to Overthecap.com. The Jets are next in line with approximately $16 million, followed by Washington at about $15 million, and Buffalo at just under $12 million. The Steelers and Giants have under $5 million and seem like long shots.

If they could ever make the money work, the Giants arguably have the biggest need, ranking 31st in yards allowed per game and 29th in sacks.

Minus Pittsburgh and Chicago, every other team on this list ranked 21st or lower in yards allowed per game in 2017. The Jets (28th) and Bills (tied-29th with Giants) also struggled in the sack department. Buffalo could be an interesting option given he is familiar with the area having played there in college.

Best Bets

Green Bay +200 and Oakland +250

With so much plus-money on this prop I would play it safe and place a bet on both the Raiders and Packers which would return a profit if either wins. We see this every year where players hold out and eventually one side gives in when the games begin to count. It would also be a poor look on new Head Coach Jon Gruden to lose one of the team’s best players.

Report: Raiders rejecting trade inquiries about Khalil Mack https://t.co/tJ0CnmUNEo

— The Packers Wire (@ThePackersWire) August 21, 2018

On the other hand, CBS reported Mack feels “disrespected, underappreciated and angry” with the whole situation.

“Anyone who has gotten to know this young man over the years would quickly tell you he can be as committed, headstrong and stuck in as it gets,” said Jason La Canfora of CBS.

If this is true Mack could be a Packer sooner versus later.

Hours after a report that #Raiders believe Khalil Mack will show up before the season opener, Mack’s camp fires back, basically saying ‘don’t count on it’ https://t.co/kmWS4sVTeN

— Raiders Beat (@RaidersBeat) August 20, 2018