One of the best deals the Las Vegas Raiders made during the start of free agency was to one of their own unrestricted free agents. And it's not really because of the length or the number, but the player.
Earlier this week, the Raiders agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent defensive end Malcolm Koonce. In 2023,, Koonce was a monster in the second half of the season. He was basically unstoppable in both the pass rush and run stop areas of his game. However, in 2024, he tore his ACL in training camp, and his season was over before it even started.
This deal that they gave him is somewhat of a "prove it" deal. And, rightfully so, this is a guy that bends his knees a ton when bending the edge to get to the pass rusher, and all kinds of other things at his position. So, you can't just give him a deal based off of what he did in 2023. They say your next deal is for what you're going to do, not what you have done. And, they can't confidently say that they know what he will do.
However, getting Koonce back in the building is great regardless. And, he gave an update on his rehab.
"I'm in a good place in my rehab," Koonce told reporters over a Zoom call earlier this week after signing his new deal. "Feel good. Trust the Raider training staff over here, lifting staff, they’ve been putting me in a good place, in a good position. And it was extremely frustrating. It's like an overall feeling that you let people down, even though it's something that you couldn't help, but I'm happy that's behind me and I can only look forward."
The Raiders are hoping that he doesn't suffer any setbacks, obviously, because they are riding on him being their starting edge rusher this season. That's a big reason the Raiders didn't even offer K'Lavon Chaisson a deal bigger than $5 million for one year, because there really wouldn't be any space for him outside of Maxx Crosby, Koonce, and Tyree Wilson.
Koonce seems to be heading in the right direction. Of course, he still has a bit to go until the season is back anyways before the season returns
