Dec 30, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tackle Jared Veldheer (68) during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

After the franchise tag deadline came and went and the Oakland Raiders opted not to tag high priority free agents Jared Veldheer and Lamarr Houston many started to fear that the team may lose two of their best players to the open market. According to Christopher Hansen of Bleacher Report that may not be the case as an inside source has told B/R’s AFC West columnist that the team has retained their star left tackle for the next five years.

Source tells me the #Raiders and Jared Veldheer have agreed to 5-year deal with 6th year option. $23 guaranteed. Total value $55M. — Christopher Hansen (@ChrisHansenNFL) March 7, 2014

Working to get confirmation from second source. I’m told he hasn’t signed yet. — Christopher Hansen (@ChrisHansenNFL) March 7, 2014

Let me reiterate that the deal hasn’t been signed yet. Could be final wrinkles to iron out. — Christopher Hansen (@ChrisHansenNFL) March 7, 2014

I believe the total value includes the 6th year for Veldheer. — Christopher Hansen (@ChrisHansenNFL) March 7, 2014

As you can see from Hansen’s tweets the pen hasn’t touched paper yet and things could potentially fall apart but it is very encouraging news that the two sides have agreed to a deal. $55 million is a lofty price tag for Veldheer if the number is true, but it is a price tag that Veldheer should be worth at market value in a couple of years if he continues to improve and stay healthy. The team saw how important Veldheer was when he missed the first 11 games of the season last year something that likely motivated Reggie McKenzie to lock up their franchise left tackle for as long as possible. The Raiders don’t have many cornerstones on their roster and while Veldheer might not deserve the “elite” tag just yet he is definitely a cornerstone piece of the Raiders roster that should be apart of the team’s identity on the offensive line for a long time.