My thoughts on Kolton Miller’s contract extension

Raiders are counting on the young left tackle to perform

On Tuesday, the Las Vegas Raiders made a big commitment to their future by extending the contract of left tackle Kolton Miller to a three-year contract extension, reportedly worth over $18 million per year.

Let’s look at some aspects of the move that will affect the team moving forward:

He’s the leader of the offensive line:
The Raiders are counting on Miller on the field and as a leader now that longtime starters Rodney Hudson and Gabe Jackson are gone. Miller is entering his fourth season and the Raiders want him to be the anchor of this unit for the foreseeable future.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Getting younger on the offensive line:
In recent years, the Raiders’ offensive line has been one of the most veteran units in the NFL. But with the trades of Jackson, Hudson and right tackle Trent Brown, the Raiders are getting younger on the line. Third-year player Andre James is in line to take over at center and second-year guard John Simpson will get a chance to win a job soon. Also, the Raiders will likely draft a right tackle early.

Deals like this need to be a trend:
Miller is the first Raiders’ first-round pick in 13 years to get a second contract. The Raiders did well when drafting him with the No. 15 pick in 2018. They need to hope their five 2019 and 2020 first-round picks and future first rounders are worth extending as well.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Cable has power:
When the Raiders fired Tom Cable as the head coach after the 2010 season, who would ever had thought he’d have a key role in the organization in the future? Yet in 2018, coach Jon Gruden brought Cable back as the offensive line coach. He played a key role in drafting Miller and he has developed him well. Kudos to Cable.

Is Carr next?
There has been talk that the Raiders could give quarterback Derek Carr an extension soon. Perhaps he is next in line with the Miller deal now done.