New Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek has taken care of some returning players on expiring contracts like Maxx Crosby and AJ Cole, but there could still be one name left on the agenda. Left tackle Kolton Miller is the longest-tenured Raider on the roster and their best offensive lineman.
Miller only has one year remaining on his contract, and it’s no secret he’d like an extension. He had a rocky start to last season coming off injury, but he eventually settled back in and played well. At 29, it stands to reason that Miller still has at least a few really good years left in the tank.
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report went through and listed the most “important” contract extension for each NFL team. Miller was the pick for the Raiders.
“According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Miller skipped voluntary workouts early in the offseason to push for a new deal,” Moton wrote. “He has no guaranteed money left on the final term of his contract. If the Raiders want quarterback Geno Smith to stay upright in the pocket, they’ll pay Miller top-10 tackle money.”
Miller Doesn’t Want to Hold Out
As Moton noted, Miller didn’t go to voluntary workouts earlier in the offseason, but he has been a full participant since. While he’d like a new contract, he doesn’t want to hold out and miss practice before he gets one.
“I’ve been here for a long time, man. This is what I do, and looking to just improve each day,” Miller told reporters recently. “And the direction the organization is going with Pete [Carrol], he’s preaching competition. We’ve got to make everyone better, including the young guys. So I’m not going to — I’m going to continue doing what I’m doing and lead the guys. And that’s how I’m rolling.”
Holdouts sometimes have a way of turning off new general managers and head coaches, so the fact that Miller is willing to practice without a new contract could show Spytek and Pete Carroll that he’s the kind of player they want to lock down long term.
Miller Wants to Be Raider for Life
Miller was a first-round pick of the Raiders back in 2018. He’s seen a lot of changes, including the move from Oakland to Las Vegas. He’s already invested so much time into the team, and he’s hoping he never has to play elsewhere.
“I want to be a Raider for life,” Miller said. “I love it here. I don’t want to go anywhere else. I only know one way to do it, and that’s showing up, getting better each day.”
“I love it. The pieces we’ve added this offseason, the energy, the direction — Pete has really master crafted coming in and how to do things, and the guys, we’re taking it and we’re rolling. It’s been really fun, and we’ve gotten so much — this is probably one of the most productive OTAs I’ve been a part of. It’s not easy, like we’re kind of flying around. But no, it’s been really good, and I’m excited where we’re headed.”
