The Raiders' first big signing in free agency came Thursday with the addition of former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson, per multiple reports. The first to note the official deal was actually James Jones, Nelson's former teammate in Green Bay and a former Raiders receiver.
As a result of Nelson's signing, Oakland will release Michael Crabtree, per ESPN. Crabtree was set to make over $7.7 million in base salary and bonuses in 2018. His release comes with no dead money against the cap. Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has singled out several players as ones that enticed him to take this job, and Crabtree was one of them.