Raiders release tackle Donald Penn
ALAMEDA — With the addition of tackle Trent Brown in free agency, it came as no surprise Saturday when the Raiders released Donald Penn in what was described as a “mutual” decision.
Penn arrived during a grim period when Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie decided against retaining free agent left tackle Jared Veldheer and instead coveted Rams tackle Rodger Saffold. The Raiders agreed to terms with Saffold, only to have the deal fall apart after the lineman failed a physical because of a shoulder injury.
With Veldheer signing with Arizona, the Raiders brought in Penn, who had been released by Tampa Bay after a poor season.
Penn made the transition look brilliant instead of like a mistake, providing Pro Bowl quality blind side protection for rookie quarterback Derek Carr. Penn started 48 straight games for the Raiders, raising his personal streak to an eventual 170, before injuries began to catch up with him the past two seasons.
After missing the Raiders’ playoff game following the 2016 season with a knee injury, Penn didn’t play in Weeks 16 and 17 in 2017 with a lisfranc foot injury. The Raiders selected tackle Kolton Miller in the first round of the 2018 draft, who took over at left tackle with Penn switching to the right.
Four games in to the 2019 season, Penn had a groin injury that ended his season, with rookie third-round pick Brandon Parker taking over at right tackle.
With Miller and Brown entrenched as starters — the Raiders have not determined which will play left tackle and which will play right — Penn’s $7.2 million cap hit and $4.5 million salary on a renegotiated deal became problematic for a 35-year-old reserve.
Brown, 25, signed a four-year, $66 million contract with $36.25 in guaranteed money — the most ever paid to an offensive lineman. The 6-foot-8, 380-pound Brown is the largest player in the NFL.
Penn said on Twitter he plays on continuing his career.
Message to #RaiderNation thank you once a raider always a raider pic.twitter.com/sjC78sFuIV
— Donald Penn (@DPENN70) March 16, 2019
“Donald will always be a Raider and his presence will be missed by the entire Raiders family,” Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a statement. “I wish the absolute best for Donald in his family.”
Penn, who broke in with Jon Gruden as head coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
In the same statement released by the Raiders, Penn said, “Thank you to Mark Davis and the entire Oakland Raiders organization giving me an opportunity to play for you . . . thank you to my Raiders teammates for always going to war and leaving it all on the field.
“To coach Gruden — thank you for always believing in me, from giving me my first start in Tampa, it’s incredible how things come full circle. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
The transaction clears roughly $5.5 million under the salary cap.