One week after extending their franchise quarterback, the Oakland Raiders are opting to do the same thing with one of their top offensive linemen.
The team has agreed on a five-year contract extension through 2022 with guard Gabe Jackson worth $56 million, a source informed told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on Thursday. The team later made the announcement official.
To put that whopping figure into perspective, the $11.2 million annual salary is the third-highest among all guards, trailing only Cleveland's Kevin Zeitler and teammate Kelechi Osemele, per OverTheCap.com.
Jackson was taken with the No. 81 pick of the 2014 NFL Draft following the Khalil Mack and Derek Carr selections (kudos to general manager Reggie McKenzie for absolutely nailing those three rounds).
The 25-year-old lineman started 28 games over his first two seasons at left guard. He switched to right guard after Osemele signed with the Silver and Black last offseason, and didn't skip a beat. Jackson didn't allow a single sack in the 2016 campaign, and was named as a Pro Bowl alternate.
The Raiders now have Jackson, Osemele and center Rodney Hudson all locked up through the 2019 season. Considering the trio was part of an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks and quarterback hits in the league last season, it's a smart move by the Raiders to invest so heavily in this unit.
With two members of that vaunted 2014 draft class staying for the long haul, all eyes will shift to Mack as the next in line to collect a big payday. Given the team's current cap situation, Rapoport reported that the Raiders will focus on a new deal in 2018 for the superstar pass rusher.
