NFL Trade Rumors: Green Bay Packers Favored To Acquire Khalil Mack From Oakland Raiders

Khalil Mack still isn’t in training camp after the Oakland Raiders played their first game of the 2018 NFL preseason. As the defensive star holds out for a new contract, there is speculation that a trade to another team could be the final outcome.

One sportsbook indicates that there’s a good chance Mack will be playing elsewhere at some point this season. The Green Bay Packers are given the best odds to be Mack’s team by the end of October at MyBookie.ag.

The betting odds should be taken with a grain of salt and don’t mean Mack will be dealt anytime soon, though it should be noted that the sportsbook was on the mark in regard to a recent NBA trade. MyBookie made the Toronto Raptors the favorites to acquire Kawhi Leonard when there were only vague rumors that the San Antonio Spurs might send their best player to Canada.

Mack is set to become a free agent in 2019 and there are no signs that he’s close to getting the new deal that he wants. An executive from an NFC team told Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman last week that the odds of Mack being traded are “increasing every day.”

If Mack were to be traded, Green Bay would be a logical destination. The Packers are a Super Bowl contender if Aaron Rodgers stays healthy, and adding Mack would make them even better on the other side of the ball. Green Bay has two first-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, which they could use in a potential deal.

The Packers have ranked 22nd in total defense in each of the last two seasons. Green Bay was fourth in points scored two years ago when Rodgers last played a full season.

The Raiders don’t have to trade Mack during the preseason. The NFL trade deadline is Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. EDT. Perhaps Oakland would make a move if they get off to a slow start.

It’s still hard to believe the Raiders would trade their best defensive player. Even if the two sides can’t agree on a long-term contract, Oakland has the option to use the franchise tag on Mack in both 2019 and 2020.

Mack hasn’t missed a game since being drafted in 2014. The 27-year-old has been selected to each of the last three Pro Bowls, averaging 12 sacks, 76 tackles and 2.7 forced fumbles per season. Mack won the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

The New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants are also listed as trade contenders for Mack.