Five key things at Raiders camp, excluding Mack’s absence

NAPA, Calif. — Dozens of Raiders veterans reported to training camp Thursday morning.

Their best, as expected, is yet to come.

Defensive end Khalil Mack was absent from check-in, as his agent and the front office continue to stand apart on a contract extension. There is no guarantee a deal will culminate before the season or, for that matter, any point in 2018. A date that might serve as a deadline in some holdouts carries zero consequence on Mack’s situation.

By Aug. 7, NFL players must report to training camp to acquire an accrued season.

This is irrelevant for Mack because he already has four such seasons. Although he surely would be franchise tagged, he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. Losing an accrued season does not impact that. It only carries weight for a player with, for example, three accrued seasons, given the difference between three and four years is what separates a restricted and unrestricted free agent.

If Mack stood to lose a credited season, that would be more meaningful, as credited seasons impact a player’s retirement pension.

While his absence is not the situation for which the Raiders hoped, they can find solace knowing Mack is one to prepare regardless of access to team facilities.

Aug. 7 is not relevant this training camp. Here are five items that are.

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