Raiders’ Penn hopes to anchor left side for years to come

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Donald Penn has said that he wants to retire a Raider, and the 32-year-old left tackle has shown that he’s serious about it.

He leads a left side of the offensive line that is probably Oakland’s strength and is one of the leaders on the team. With his performance last season and so far in training camp, Penn has seemingly already earned an extension. And league sources say that Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie has been talking to Penn’s agent about that very thing.

“I don’t want to get into that, just focusing on things on the field,” said Penn, who stands 6 feet 4 and weighs 315 pounds. “But yeah, that would be great. I love it here. I grew up a Raiders fan and we’re getting closer to bringing it back to the old, winning ways.”

Penn is in the last year of a two-year, $9.6 million contract that the Raiders offered in desperation after would-be free-agent signee Rodger Saffold failed his physical. Penn came to camp in great shape, motivated after being cut by the Bucs and has never looked back.

Quarterback Derek Carr had the NFL’s third-lowest knockdown rate (8.0 percent) last season.

Penn was recently voted to his new head coach’s eight-player leadership council. The fact that Jack Del Rio created a council itself is not a big deal — last year’s coaches, Dennis Allen and Tony Sparano, had one — but the gesture by his teammates is huge.

Tackle Donald Penn is in the last year of his contract, but his agent is talking with general manager Reggie McKenzie about an extension. “I love it here,” Penn says. Tackle Donald Penn is in the last year of his contract, but his agent is talking with general manager Reggie McKenzie about an extension. “I love it here,” Penn says. Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Raiders’ Penn hopes to anchor left side for years to come 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

“I am proud that the guys put their trust in me,” Penn said. “I know that the offensive line, the young guys especially, follow me and Khalif (Barnes’) lead. Everybody is on board.”

Especially with the new coaching staff. And Penn was one of the players saying that the Raiders should bring back Sparano after the interim coach went 3-9 after replacing the fired Allen.

Penn now says the new staff — led by Del Rio, always chirping defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave — has been a breath of fresh air.

“We needed change,” Penn said. “I was one of Tony’s biggest supporters, but sometimes change is good. Everybody on this team is tired of losing.”

There is also hope because of young stars Carr and defensive end Khalil Mack.

“All the good teams in this league have a good quarterback and a good defensive end,” Penn said. “Those are two key pieces, and we got those now.

“The best thing about Derek and Khalil is they come to work. All of our young guys do that. And you couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Well, maybe, a new deal too.

Edwards struggles: Second-round pick Mario Edwards Jr. got pushed around a little bit in the preseason opener against the Rams on Friday. One of the things the staff is looking for is for him to get more violent with his hands.

“Yeah, he’ll play better,” Del Rio said. “I think he’s learning what it looks like at this level. There’s no lack of desire on his part, and we think he’ll be a much more effective player as he grows up.”

New guy: The Raiders signed free agent receiver Devon Wylie, a former fourth-round pick by the Chiefs who had six catches for 53 yards in 2012. The 5-foot-9 receiver replaced 5-9 Austin Willis, who was cut earlier Tuesday.

Injuries: Receiver Andre Holmes, tight end Clive Walford, running back Roy Helu, fullback Jamize Olawale and linebackers Sio Moore and Josh Shirley missed Tuesday afternoon's practice. “I think we’ll get a few guys back here shortly and some may linger a little bit,” Del Rio said.

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: vtafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur