Representatives for Darren McFadden and the Oakland Raiders appear to be doing their best to avoid a lengthy holdout.

McFadden's agent, Ian Greengross, is set to meet with team officials next week, according to a San Francisco Chronicle online report. A deal could be struck in June with a deal worth between $22 and $30 million.

Why are these early June negotiations such a huge deal?

Start with last year's holdout by JaMarcus Russell, who didn't sign until Sept. 10. It essentially cost Russell his rookie season and, according to many around the team, hurt him with veteran teammates in the locker room. Russell himself recently said he's trying to show teammates last year was a "business" thing.

Then consider the 11 drafts before that, when the Raiders never signed their top pick until after July 10 -- and all but one were signed within a two-day window revolving around the start of training camp.

Not that McFadden is currently hurting for money with endorsement deals, including Nike, but this is good news for both sides. McFadden can get to camp and turn his focus to football in a timely manner and the Raiders can avoid yet another poor publicity hit.