The Oakland Raiders took a huge risk in trading away franchise star Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears, but head coach Jon Gruden stands by his bold and gutsy decision to part with the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year.
On Saturday, Mack and a second-round pick in 2020 were sent to Chicago in exchange for 2019 and 2020 first-round picks, plus future third and sixth-rounders. The Bears then gave Mack a six-year, $141 million extension, making him highest-paid defensive player in league history.
Speaking with reports in Oakland (via Nick Shook of NFL.com), Gruden explained that it got to a point where Mack wasn't going to return, and the Raiders knew they couldn't sit around any longer.
"We have waited. We waited and waited, and the Rams game was looming," Gruden said. "Our feeling was he was not going to report anytime soon...We made an offer. I don't believe we were anywhere close to where the Bears were. The Bears made us an offer that we thought was really unique."
RUMOR: WHY KHALIL MACK WAS TRADED TO BEARS
The Raiders brought back Gruden on a 1o-year contract worth $100 million, and he was essentially given all the power when it came to player personnel decisions, as pointed out by Michael Lombardi of The Athletic.
Gruden simply didn't want to play the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year and three-time Pro Bowler top dollar, despite his incredible talents. It's not going to be easy for Gruden to turn around a group that finished 23rd in total defense and 20th in points allowed, especially without the only legitimate game changer getting traded to the Bears.
The Super Bowl 37 champion - as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - added that "something to happen," with the Mack situation. He simply wasn't going to wait and hope that Mack would opt to play out the final year of his rookie contract, without an extension.
The pressure is now on Gruden and the Raiders to overcome the departure of their franchise player, which is easier said and done. Owner Mark Davis gave Gruden $100 million to save this franchise, so it's time for the former Monday Night Football analyst to show he's worth every penny.