The Raiders had three starting safeties last season. And all three were set to become free agents if not re-signed by the team. Monday, the Raiders made a move to get one of them back.
Former undrafted safety Isaiah Pola-Mao was entering his fourth NFL season. But as a former undrafted free agent, in order for that to happen, the team would have to either sign his RFA tender or give him an extension. One way or another, there was every expectation they would bring back the special teams standout who started 14 games last season.
It’s said to be a two-year deal worth up to $8.45 million according to his agent.
To be clear, we don’t know how much heavy lifting the words “up to” could be doing here. Suffice to say, that means incentives are involved, which would suggest he only gets paid that much if he plays well enough to earn it.
Pola-Mao started alongside Tre’von Moehrig at safety after the loss of Marcus Epps for the season in week three.
Both Moehrig and Epps’s contract are up which means if the Raiders don’t re-sign them before the start of free agency, they will become unrestricted free agents.
Epps and Moehrig were a stout duo at the two safety spots in 2023 and looked to continue that this past season before Epps’s injury. Moehrig went on to have his best season, showing an added ability to play close to the line of scrimmage, raising his value.
Pola-Mao did some good things last season, but had his issues as well. The Raiders will need to bring back either Moehrig, Epps or both. If they let either go, they will have to look at either free agency or the draft to replace them.