Pat Sims re-signs with Raiders on a one year contract

The Oakland Raiders and DT Pat Sims have come to an agreement for Sims to re-sign with the team on a one year deal, confirmed by Sims' agent Rick Smith. It had appeared like the Defensive Tackle was ready to leave for another team, but after not receiving much interest on the open market staying in Oakland turned out to be his best option.

The 6'2, 310lb DT had an impressive year last year with the Raiders compiling 54 tackles, 2 sacks and 6 tackles for losses while starting all 16 games in 2013. They were his best stats of his career so far and at 28 years old he is still in his prime. It was a little strange that he didn't find more suitors in free agency, but after visiting with the Titans he decided to remain in Oakland for one more year.

This is a great signing for the Raiders. They already had lost one of their starting DT's from last year in Vance Walker who had signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, and losing the other one in Pat Sims would have hurt the club. They had already signed DT/DE Antonio Smith from the Houston Texans and have 2nd year player Stacy McGee on the roster but keeping Pat Sims for one more year strengthens the position very nicely.

It is safe to say that Sims will be the starting DT in 2014, unless the Raiders end up addressing the position in the draft. Either way they will need Sims who was a solid contributor last year. The terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, but considering the way Reggie has worked the signings it is easy to assume that it will be a lower base salary with some play incentives.