Donald

Penn

He’ll be promptly placed on the team’s reserve/retired list and hang up his cleats in the Silver and Black. 37-year-old Penn started all 66 games he was available for the Raiders, finishing his career with 194 appearances across 14 seasons. He initially signed with Las Vegas as a free agent in 2014, extending his personal start-streak to 170 regular-season games from 2007 until Week 16 of the 2017 season. He also earned two Pro Bowl selections and was named to the All-AFC Team with the Raiders.

La Canfora reports the Redskins are still interested in the ex-Buc, but that the opportunity to play left tackle in Oakland is “very enticing.” Penn was still passable on the blindside in Tampa last season, but turns 31 next month, and has struggled with his weight.

Penn was cut by the Bucs on Thursday afternoon as they moved on to Anthony Collins. And everyone knows how desperate the Raiders are after the Rodger Saffold debacle. So on paper, this looks like a lay-up for Reggie McKenzie to blow through some of his massive cap space. Penn has battled weight problems, but he hasn’t missed a single game in his seven-year career and handled the blind side at a plus level.

This is his first reported visit. Penn has said his “plan” is to re-sign with the Raiders, but nothing appears imminent on that front. The Giants have also made an offer to LT Russell Okung, suggesting they are seriously considering moving sophomore Ereck Flowers to the right side. Penn is Rotoworld’s No. 2 available offensive tackle. He will turn 33 in April.

Penn lost basically all his Raiders leverage when the team signed G/T Kelechi Osemele. Penn would have to return on a bargain-basement deal for the Raiders to stick presumptive left tackle Osemele on the inside. Penn was supposed to visit the Giants on Tuesday, but it was postponed.

The Raiders are reportedly seeking to convert most of his $3 million salary into bonuses or incentives following his two-year, $21 million extension last September. Penn (foot) remains on Oakland’s active/PUP list and has yet to practice in camp while recovering from Lisfranc surgery. Oakland would prefer to line up first-rounder Kolton Miller on one side and Penn on the other, but the latter will have to fully recover in his age-35 season for that to happen.

Only one season after restructuring his contract, the 13-year veteran’s outright release allows Oakland to save $5.475 million against the cap this upcoming year. Penn, who first signed with the team as a free agent in 2014, was a constant at left tackle before accepting a positional-change to right tackle in 2018. Set to turn 36 at the end of April, Penn issued a statement following his release claiming he “has a lot of years left” as an NFL starter. Arguably one of the worst tackles in the league prior to being placed on the Reserve/Injured List, Penn will undoubtedly catch on as depth elsewhere soon.

Penn compared himself to HBO, saying he’s played at a “promotional price” but now the Raiders will have to pay “full price for the shows they love.” Penn might not be on Game of Thrones level, but he was still one of the better tackles in football last year and should get a nice payday on the open market. Cordy Glenn, Russell Okung and Kelvin Beachum are a few other big-name tackles in this year’s free agent class.

“We’re trying to figure out of the feeling is mutual,” Penn said. “They tell me it is.” The Raiders finalized a massive deal with Kelechi Osemele on Tuesday, suggesting they expect him to play left tackle in Oakland. That could change if Penn re-signs, but at the moment a reunion seems unlikely. If Penn does come back, the Raiders will boast one of the NFL’s best offensive lines.

The Oakland Tribune’s Jerry McDonald takes this as a sign Penn plans to hit the open market. Penn has already said he will not give the Raiders a hometown discount, and Oakland likely does not want to overpay for a tackle heading into his age-33 season. In a cap-rich environment, Penn should get a nice payday if he hits the market.