The Las Vegas Raiders released offensive guard Gabe Jackson this week; he is the latest cap casualty as all NFL teams deal with a reduced 2021 salary cap.
#Raiders are releasing veteran G Gabe Jackson, clearing $9.6M in salary cap space, per @JosinaAnderson. He was pretty good last season and started all 16 games. Should have a market.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 3, 2021
Jackson is 29 years old and has played all seven seasons of his NFL career with Oakland/Las Vegas.
Big shoutout to Gabe Jackson…
I was at camp when he went down with that knee injury last year and I thought for sure he was done for the season. Nope. In the end… 7 years & 6,740 total snaps.
Thank you Gabe. Once a Raider… pic.twitter.com/XrITSWePwW
— Raider Cody (@RaiderCody) March 4, 2021
Gabe Jackson has been a consistent member of the Raiders’ roster playing in 100 career games and almost 6,500 offensive snaps along with nearly 400 special teams snaps.
In 2021, Jackson would have been in the fourth of his five year $55 million contract.
Beginning last offseason, the Raiders were attempting to trade Jackson to offset his huge contract.
When trade efforts failed in 2020, Gabe Jackson rejoined the only team he ever played for.
During that tumultuous time, Jackson was asked about his future with the Silver and Black.
“It was a weird feeling, but I am very happy to be back. I’m really enjoying playing with those other guys (on the line), and I know we’re going to have some fun. …Like Richie [Incognito] said, we are going be to physical and lean on people. This isn’t two-hand touch.”
Jackson has plenty of football left so teams are bound to be interested.
Here are three potential landing spots for Gabe Jackson.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was sacked a career high 29 times during the 2020 season.
Jackson was sacked eight additional times in the Ravens’ two playoff games.
Lamar Jackson is a great quarterback, and his mobility helps him to avoid even more sacks.
However, he could use some protection on the offensive line, and Gabe Jackson could be the right man for the job.
Gabe Jackson is versatile; during his Raiders career, he has played in both the left and right guard positions.
2. Seattle Seahawks
Given Russell Wilson‘s obvious displeasure with his team about protecting him, Seattle likely should be in the number one position to sign Gabe Jackson.
Wilson is disgruntled and not unjustified in his feelings.
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks have the 28th ranked offensive line, and now the pass rushers in their division include…
Aaron Donald
Nick Bosa
JJ Watt
Haason Redick
Leonard Floyd
Arik Armstead
Javon KinlawYikes 😬 pic.twitter.com/V1ONyBz4rW
— Trade Bait Podcast (@BaitTrade) March 1, 2021
Given his ability to run his way out of trouble, Wilson has still been sacked 394 times in his 9 year career with the Seahawks.
Wilson’s worst season was 2018 when he was sacked 51 times.
The Seahawks problems trickle over into the playoffs also.
Russell Wilson was sacked five times in the 2020 wildcard playoff loss against the Los Angeles Rams.
3. Carolina Panthers
DeShaun Watson's "Final 3" reportedly Jets, Dolphins, Panthers. Best place for Watson is clearly Carolina. They'd have the NFC's best offense & would rank right there w/the Chiefs. I'd make them NFC Super Bowl favorites if they got him. I'm a JETS fan & I'm telling you this…
— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) February 25, 2021
It should not go without mention that the Carolina Panthers are interested in trading for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
If the Panthers get Watson, they could still use Jackson.
Consider that the other two teams on this list have mobile quarterbacks and need a solid, consistent offensive guard to improve the performance of the entire offense.
The Panthers have not replaced the void left after they traded Trai Turner to the Los Angeles Chargers for the 2020 season.
This is not an exhaustive list of teams that could sign Gabe Jackson.
Because Jackson was released, he does not need to wait until the beginning of the league year for free agent signings (March 17 at 4 pm EST) to be picked up by a team.
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