Reggie McKenzie Makes Easy Decision on Khalil Mack

After all the hard work Reggie McKenzie has done, he gets the easiest decision of his career. He picked the option on Khalil Mack’s rookie contract Thursday.

When Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie took over, he had a lot of hard work to do. He inherited the roster of an 8-8 team that got paid like they just went 19-0. The NFL didn’t have a salary cap that year prior and legendary owner Al Davis was desperate to win.

So he had to decide who to keep and let go of to get the Raiders under the salary cap. Thank goodness that process is over as the 2016 Executive of the year has drafted well of late. And the result of him drafting well is he has the easiest decision of his career.

Khalil Mack, the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was the Raiders first-round pick in 2014. So it was time to make that decision that makes a no-brainer look like something to think about. He’s has to be one of the Top-5 football players in the NFL now.

We’ll soon see when the NFL Network has its new Top-100 NFL Players list come out. Regardless of where he lands on that list, the Raiders won’t let him get away anytime soon. The only difficulty McKenzie is facing now is trying to budget running back Marshawn Lynch in.

Last I heard, the Raiders are willing to walk away from negotiations if his price isn’t within range. They don’t have an option on quarterback Derek Carr’s rookie contract. So they have to begin negotiations on an extension, which is a high priority for the Raiders.

But one easy decision was made Thursday!