Oakland Raiders Rumors: Khalil Mack Might Not Play Anytime Soon As Trade Rumors Persist

Don’t hold your breath if you’re waiting to see Khalil Mack play for the Oakland Raiders this month. The defensive end still hasn’t shown up to training camp, and his holdout will extend beyond Week 2 of the preseason.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Mack won’t report before Saturday’s contest with the Los Angeles Rams, and it’s unknown when he will report in Oakland. The 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year will be fined as he looks to secure a lucrative contract before hitting free agency in 2019.

The news might only strengthen the idea that Oakland could be looking to move on from their star player. The holdout has led Mack to being in trade rumors, specifically in connection with the Green Bay Packers. Mack has better odds of playing for Green Bay than Oakland in the middle of the season at MyBookie.

The Raiders are hopeful to get Mack back soon as they get ready for their first season under head coach Jon Gruden, who is back with the team after leaving the organization nearly 17 years ago.

“I don't think it's been a distraction,” Gruden said of Mack’s holdout Wednesday, via ESPN. “It's obviously, for me, been disappointing. You want to have your best player here. This guy is really a great guy, too. I'm disappointed we don't have him here. Going to try to get him here as soon as we can. In the time being, you've got to move on. You've got to get up and go to work. That's one thing I'm very proud of what we've done here.”

Mack is set to make nearly $14 million in the final year of his five-year contract. He’s totaled 36.5 sacks over the last threes years, including 10.5 sacks during a 2017 season in which Oakland struggled to win games. The Raiders went 6-10 last year and failed to return to the playoffs.

Rams’ defensive tackle Aaron Donald will also miss Saturday’s game as he holds out for a new deal. Donald didn’t play in a single preseason game last year, but he returned for the regular season and won the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year award.

It’s important for Oakland to get Mack back on the field. The Raiders ranked 23rd in total defense last year, and the unit isn’t expected to be one of the league’s best this season.