Raiders Criticized for Massive $81 Million Center Signing

Analysts call the contract for Tyler Linderbaum an overpay for the position.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:52am

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The Las Vegas Raiders made a major free agent splash by signing center Tyler Linderbaum to a 3-year, $81 million contract with $60 million guaranteed. While Linderbaum is considered an upgrade over the team's previous center, many analysts have criticized the Raiders for overpaying at the non-premium center position.

Why it matters

The Raiders are trying to rebuild after a poor 2025 season, and their free agent spending has come under scrutiny. Paying a center $27 million per year raises questions about the team's roster-building strategy and whether they are allocating resources effectively to improve the team.

The details

The Raiders signed Linderbaum, who was previously the highest-paid center in the NFL at $18 million per year. The new deal for Linderbaum represents a significant jump in salary for the position. Analysts like Ethan Woodie of NFL Trade Rumors have argued the contract is an "absurd jump" and that the Raiders may end up regretting sinking so much money into a non-premium position, even if Linderbaum is an upgrade over their previous center.

  • The Raiders signed Linderbaum to the 3-year, $81 million contract during the initial wave of 2026 NFL free agency.

The players

Tyler Linderbaum

An offensive lineman who the Raiders signed to a 3-year, $81 million contract to be their new starting center.

Ethan Woodie

An analyst for NFL Trade Rumors who criticized the Raiders' signing of Linderbaum as an overpay for the center position.

Jordan Meredith

The Raiders' starting center in 2025 who ranked 32nd out of 40 qualified centers according to Pro Football Focus.

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What they’re saying

“As the cap grows over time and the league makes more and more money, player contracts get larger. That's not a surprise. But Linderbaum making $27 million a year is still an absurd jump for the center position. Were the Raiders forced to pay him that much to make sure he didn't sign elsewhere? That's possible, even likely, but while the Raiders can afford a bloated contract on their books right now, that doesn't make it a good one.”

— Ethan Woodie, Analyst

What’s next

The Raiders' free agent spending will continue to be scrutinized as they look to bounce back from a poor 2025 season. The team's ability to build a competitive roster around Linderbaum's large contract will be closely watched.

The takeaway

The Raiders' massive investment in center Tyler Linderbaum highlights the team's aggressive approach to free agency as they try to rebuild. However, the high price tag for a non-premium position like center has drawn criticism from analysts, who question whether the Raiders are allocating resources effectively to improve the team.