Raiders land center Tyler Linderbaum with record-setting deal

Adam Hill, Las Vegas Review-Journal on Mar 9, 2026

Published in Football

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LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Raiders had a clear need to make a big splash on the offensive line and plenty of cap space to make it happen.

They did it by agreeing to make former Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history.

The deal, which can’t be officially signed until the new league year begins on Wednesday, will pay him more than any other center by a wide margin.

Linderbaum has agreed to a three-year deal for $81 million that includes $60 million in guarantees, an average annual value of $27 million.

Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey had been at the top of the center market at $18 million per season. Tyler Smith of the Dallas Cowboys is the highest-paid guard at $24 million.

Linderbaum, who just finished his rookie contract with the Ravens, earned the payday by reaching the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons.

He is a great fit for new coach Klint Kubiak’s system as an elite zone run blocker with the athleticism to get out in space and clear a path.

Linderbaum, who will turn 26 next month, was a first-round pick out of Iowa in 2021. He has been as durable as he has been successful over his four seasons, missing just two games since entering the league and making 66 starts in his four seasons.

His presence will allow Jackson Powers-Johnson to focus on playing guard full-time. The Raiders also have guard Caleb Rogers entering his second season.

The Raiders entered free agency with nearly $120 million in cap space, tops in the league. Offensive line was the team’s biggest need.

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