For months Khalil Mack has been silent as he holds out in hopes the Oakland Raiders give him a massive new contract. Thursday night he broke the silence.
Mack commented on a tweet from Ted Nguyen of The Athletic, which showed the Raiders pass rusher making a series of ridonkulous moves to get to the quarterback. Mack's remark: "I miss it."
The social media comment didn't go unnoticed by his Raiders teammates. Quarterback Derek Carr replied to Mack: "I miss you." (BFF's forever. Heart emoji. #AintThatCute.)
The question is whether missing football will cause Mack to soften his contract stand. Teams often count on a player's staunch summer stance wilting at the thought of missing games -- and the checks that come along with them. If Mack feels the fear of missing out or disappointing teammates, it could hasten a resolution. But don't count on it.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that a lot needs to happen to get Mack back in silver and black. Sides haven't negotiated in months.
A trade could get Mack back on the football field he misses so much, but the Raiders are seeking at least two first-round picks in return, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported earlier this week.
With Week 1 almost upon us, Mack's holdout is set to disrupt games that matter. When that happens, plenty of fans will miss the former Defensive Player of the Year.
