NFL Bulldogs: Gabe Jackson inks 5-year, $56 million deal with Oakland Raiders
Gabe Jackson left Mississippi State as one of the best to ever play on the offensive line for the Bulldogs. Today, he signs a 5-year, $56 million extension with the Raiders.
Another day, another former Mississippi State Bulldog making headlines in the professional ranks.
Gabe Jackson, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, has agreed to a 5-year, $56 million extension to remain in Oakland and play for the Raiders.
The #Raiders are doing work. They've just agreed to terms with standout G Gabe Jackson on a new contract extension, source said. 💵💰
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 29, 2017
The #Raiders are signing G Gabe Jackson to a 5-year extension worth a whopping $56 million, source said. Locking up their future.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 29, 2017
Since arriving in Oakland in 2014, Gabe Jackson has developed into one of the game’s best offensive guards around the league. The Mississippi State product started 13 games as a rookie for the Raiders and flashed the potential to be a big part of the Raiders’ rise. He has started 16 games each of the last two seasons and is a major reason why Oakland has one of the elite offensive lines in football.
The Raiders signed franchise quarterback Derek Carr to a record-breaking $125 million deal last week. The franchise felt it was important to lock up one of the best offensive guards in football to protect the face of the Raiders.
Per Bleacher Report, the Raiders have been looking to work out an extension for their third-round pick from the 2014 draft. They see Gabe Jackson as a vital part to the team’s future.
"In March, Scott Bair of NBC Sports indicated the team’s interest in signing Jackson before he became a free agent, noting “teams love him.”General manager Reggie McKenzie later explained the need to lock Jackson down as one of the key players on the roster.“We’re always trying to make sure we keep our good players,” McKenzie said, per Alex Marvez of Sporting News. “We targeted Derek from the outset. We’re going to try and get talking to him and also Gabe.”"
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Both Fletcher Cox and Darius Slay signed big deals last offseason, so it is awesome to see another Bulldog receive a big pay day in the NFL. Gabe’s extension will keep him with the franchise that drafted him through the 2022-2023 season.