Raiders ink slot weapon to extension

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow receives key extension as team looks to feature him in Josh McDaniel’s offense. 

On the heels of Cooper Kupp’s historic extension, the Las Vegas Raiders have an announcement of their own: they’re proving their appreciation of Pro Bowl wide receiver Hunter Renfrow with a sizable contract of his own.

NFL Network reporters Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport broke the news this morning, announcing that Renfrow was signed on for an additional two years in Las Vegas for for $32 million with $21 million guaranteed.

The 26-year-old “Slot Machine”, as Pelissero called him, has been with the Raiders since he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Throughout his football career, Renfrow has been pressured to prove himself on the field, and this contract validates all of Renfrow’s efforts to contribute on offense.

Las Vegas Raiders sign Hunter Renfrow to sizable extension

When Renfrow began his college football career at Clemson, he was listed as 5′ 10″ and 155 pounds. Renfrow was a walk-on, redshirting his freshman year and playing through his senior season. It was Renfrow who caught the game-winning touchdown in the 2017 CFB National Championship, and it was Renfrow who was the 2018 recipient of the Burlsworth Trophy, which goes to the best college player who began as a walk-on.

Although Renfrow wasn’t chosen until the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, he immediately began as a starting wideout for the Raiders. In his first two seasons, Renfrow averaged about 53 receptions and about 631 yards, but his breakout season came in his third year with the team. In 2021, Renfrow caught 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns. It was enough to get him a Pro Bowl nod and a $32 million extension. Previously, Renfrow was signed to a four-year deal worth $2.8 million.

In April, Raiders tight end Darren Waller spoke about what he anticipated in an offense featuring Renfrow, Davante Adams, and Derek Carr.

“We have so many weapons now that, you know, how do we use and how do we get people involved?” Waller said. “How do we create a rhythm within our offense? And that’s what we’re going to be working on over these next few months because we’re going to keep continuing to grow as individual players and collectively as we continue to learn this new system and go out there and do our best effort. That’s what’s gonna allow us to translate the products in the field that people are expecting from us.”