NFL executives and coaches make a loud statement about the Las Vegas Raiders’ new center, Tyler Linderbaum
The Las Vegas Raiders made the decision to go and get the best center in the NFL, Tyler Linderbaum.
The Las Vegas Raiders signed center Tyler Linderbaum to the richest interior offensive line deal in NFL history this offseason, and the rest of the league has taken notice.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Linderbaum was voted the 8th-best interior offensive lineman by NFL executives, coaches, and scouts. For a Raiders offensive line that needed a massive upgrade at center, that ranking validates the investment Vegas made this offseason.
The Raiders signed Linderbaum to a 3-year, $81 million deal with $60 million fully guaranteed. This makes him the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history at $27 million per year. That kind of money at the center position is rare in today’s league. Did Las Vegas overpay? Probably.
But the center position was arguably the Raiders’ worst spot on the field last season, aside from quarterback. Jordan Meredith struggled badly at center in 2025. And, his play was a significant reason the offensive line performed poorly overall. That context makes the Linderbaum signing easier to stomach.
The numbers back up the investment
Last season, Linderbaum had just 17 total blown blocks per Sports Info Solutions across 954 snaps. Only 11 of those came in pass protection. He has long been regarded as one of the best run-blocking centers in football. His pass protection numbers are just as impressive. In Fowler’s article, executives, coaches, and scouts offered their assessment of Linderbaum’s game.
“He’s known as an elite run blocker, but in the passing game, he also is ranked 2nd among centers in pass block win rate, 97.2% last season.”
That kind of production at the center changes an offensive line. The Raiders need Linderbaum to anchor a unit that can protect the quarterback. They also need him to open lanes for running back Ashton Jeanty, one of the best young running backs in football. Vegas needs to get Jeanty going at a higher level than they did in his rookie season. A dominant center is the first step toward making that happen.
The 8th ranking might be too low
Voting Linderbaum as the 8th-best interior offensive lineman feels a touch low. When you consider that the interior offensive line encompasses left guard, right guard, and center, Linderbaum should be somewhere in the top five. He’s a top-two center in the league, with the only real competition being Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, who happens to play in the same division.
That AFC West rivalry at center could produce some fun matchups. Regardless, Las Vegas is getting a player who is elite at every level of center play. The fan base is ready to see what Linderbaum can do in Silver and Black, and whenever quarterback Fernando Mendoza gets thrown into action, he should have far better protection than anything the Raiders put on the field last season.