WR Michael Crabtree agrees to new deal with Raiders
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- A one-season trial run for a forgotten standout receiver and a team desperate for a veteran presence at the position has blossomed into a long-term relationship that will benefit both sides for Michael Crabtree and the Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders and Crabtree have agreed to a four-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday. The deal is worth $32 million, including about $18 million guaranteed, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Crabtree, 28, hoped to cash in during free agency last spring, but he was an afterthought in a strong receiver class. Crabtree settled for a one-year, $3 million deal with Oakland a month into free agency. The prove-it deal worked out beautifully for both sides.
Crabtree, the No. 10 overall pick for San Franciscoin 2009, has 66 catches for 760 yards and seven touchdowns for Oakland. He is the team's No. 2 receiver behind Amari Cooper, the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft. In Cooper and Crabtree, second-year quarterback Derek Carr has a pair of reliable weapons for the next several years at a position that had been a major weak spot the past several years.
Crabtree, who battled leg injuries in recent seasons with the 49ers, is on pace for career highs in catches and touchdowns.
The Raiders, who are flush in cap room, signed restricted free-agent-to-be fullback Jamize Olawale to a three-year deal Tuesday. Oakland could also target left tackle Donald Pennfor an extension. Penn is playing well and is set to be an unrestricted free agent in the spring.
