The Raiders have no choice but to pay Khalil Mack

Do the Oakland Raiders want to win both now and when they move to Las Vegas? The only imaginable answer here is yes, which leads you to the following conclusion. General manager Reggie McKenzie might as well open the checkbook, sign the first one, and lay it on the table for Khalil Mack to fill out.

Mack, 27, is withholding services from Oakland’s first OTAs of the new season, presumably because he wants an extension. The former University of Buffalo star is playing out the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, worth $13.8 million.

While the Raiders do have the option of playing the waiting game, that’s also a major risk. Back in the summer of 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs had a similar situation with Justin Houston. At the time, Houston was entering his fourth and final year on his rookie contract. Apparently, he was pining for an extension. Chiefs general manager John Dorsey decided to let him play it out. Houston amassed 22 sacks the following campaign, second-most in NFL history.

Instead of paying Houston what likely would have been something in the neighborhood of five year and $60 million with $30-35 million guaranteed, Dorsey ended up forking over a six-year, $101 million pact with $52.5 million guaranteed. While Houston remains one of the league’s best players, he has dealt with injuries and a worsening supporting cast in the time since, making that deal decent — at best — for Kansas City.

McKenzie could be put in a similar spot should he elect to force Mack’s hand this summer. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and two-time First-Team All-Pro could have his best season yet in the prime of his career, make Oakland use the franchise tag and then rake McKenzie over the proverbial Coles with all the leverage on his side.

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Looking at the projected cap situation in 2019 for the Raiders, they have plenty of money to make something happen. The question is whether the team will try to play hardball with its best defensive player. Or, if McKenzie comes to the table early, hoping to strike a deal before this goes too far down the road.

According to NFL.com, Mack wants at least $65 million in guaranteed money. If the Oakland Raiders can keep him on that number, it is something McKenzie should immediately agree with. The Denver Broncos paid Von Miller $70 million in guarantees for his contract extension back in 2016. With the cap inflating, there is no reason for Mack to settle below that line.

If he’s actually willing to work a deal at $65 million guaranteed , the Oakland Raiders would be foolish not to make that happen quickly. In the NFL, the only number in a contract that matters is the guaranteed portion. The overall value is always window-dressing.