Grading the signing: Raiders getting the best available center elevates their floor massively in Year 1 under Klint Kubiak
The Raiders signed Tyler Linderbaum on Monday.
The Las Vegas Raiders made their big free agency splash. We predicted this move, but not at this price, as Vegas just outbid everyone for the best center available and one of the best centers in the league. According to reports, the Raiders agreed to a three-year, $81 million deal with Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, $60 million guaranteed.
Grading the Raiders’ signing of former Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum
Grade: A-
This is an A- grade simply because of the price. The Raiders had to overpay, and this move resets the market, something most teams don’t want to have to do, but will if they have to. The Raiders are a bad team with many unknowns over the last few years, so overpaying was always going to be what they had to do. $27 million per year for a center is a lot of money. However, this is still a high grade because it’s a valuable position they desperately needed, and one that allows them to for sure draft Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall.
It’s also an A- because two certainties have now emerged about the Raiders. Previously, there was some uncertainty. Now, their intentions are clearer. First, this move confirms they will draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall, as we already stated. Our prior predictions are now supported, since resetting the market at the center position suggests they plan to have a rookie quarterback. You wouldn’t reset the market if you didn’t have big plans for the position the center is protecting.
Second, while John Spytek had not specified previously, this signing clarifies that Jackson Powers-Johnson will move to guard in 2026 rather than center. He is better at guard, so this helps two birds with one stone. Spytek recently shared that Powers-Johnson plays wherever it helps assemble Vegas’ best five linemen—now, that’s as a guard. Which side he will play remains TBD, though right guard seems likely.
In short, with this signing, Vegas has its center of the future. The team can continue building around Mendoza before he even arrives, giving the Raiders a strong foundation to build on.
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