The Raiders are out of cap money right now, which doesn’t mean much because head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock have added the key players they wanted to earlier this month. Also, they have the means to add cap space rather easily. Most impressive is, Gruden and Mayock are in phenomenal shape
Raiders in phenomenal salary-cap shape for 2021, thanks to GM Mike Mayock
Mayock has been a terrific hire. I would argue a better hire than Gruden. He’s stabilized the franchise and acts as a counterbalance to Gruden’s impulsiveness (as much as he can). Ideally, Davis should empower Mayock with full authority, as with most functional franchises. However, Gruden’s contract is too long and too lucrative.
Good to see how the contracts are being constructed for optimal payroll flexibility.
OK, I see the potentially good thing in having such a vast amount of cap space next year to retool again but…. god knows I am sick and tired of us having high draft picks and lots of cash to let us assemble a play-off team (let alone a contender) year after year – well into a second decade since we last figured. Frankly, I am fed up always looking at next year and am with Vet on his postings about expectations for this season – at least 10 wins and the playoffs: jam tomorrow just doesn’t cover my toast right now.
Williams and Joyner need to produce this year, if not, both should be gone.
Gabe needs to get healthy and stay that way.
Carr is Carr, we have talked this to death. Supporters support and defend him, others, not so much.
I keep saying that Carr is traded during the draft if we get a good offer for him. A big thing that has to be on the mind of Gruden is that we may have little to no camp and preseason to get Mariota ready and that works in favor of Carr for sure.
Mayock and Gruden have done a damn good job with contracts and being able to shed players if needed. A great article and dead on! Nice work.
Gruden needs to lock up Mayock for the long term too. That would be another great signing.
I am hopeful that the draft this season is even better than last year. I think Mayock and his always pouring over film helps us a ton while others are complaining about not being ready for the draft.
Mayock has really tempered Gruden’s impatience. The team still cycles through players a bit too quickly for my taste (dumping Trevor Davis after one bad game–a game everyone played poorly in). But at least Mayock appears to be building for the long term. Unfortunately, Gruden’s ego (along with the length and size of his contract) is too big for him to hand over the GM reins to Mayock completely.
Count me as another who is sick and tired of rebuilding and always hoping that “next” year will be the year. Reggie McKenzie had the team in decent cap space shape after inheriting a disaster. Instead of cap space, I’d rather see playoff appearances and wins.
Not sure I see the wisdom of cutting some of your best players to free up cap space. Like Michelle I’d rather see wins than cap space.