Raiders GM Stands Firm on Las Vegas' NFL Free Agency Approach

Despite a last-minute trade falling through, the Raiders kept their commitments to free agents.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:33am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented football players and equipment, with sharp planes of silver, black, and navy blue.The Raiders' offseason moves, including a failed trade and a record-breaking free agent signing, are deconstructed into a cubist illustration.Buffalo Today

The Las Vegas Raiders had a busy offseason, signing 10 free agents, re-signing three of their own, and trading for another player. However, a deal to trade star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens fell through at the last minute. Despite the sudden increase in payroll, Raiders GM John Spytek said the team never considered backing out of any of their free agent agreements, stating 'we don't operate like that'.

Why it matters

The Raiders' offseason moves show their commitment to building a competitive roster through free agency, even when unexpected setbacks occur. Their willingness to honor deals with free agents despite a major trade falling through could help establish the Raiders as an attractive destination for future free agents.

The details

The Raiders had initially agreed to trade Crosby to the Ravens for a couple of first-round picks, which would have cleared up extra cap space. However, the Ravens reneged on the deal, citing health concerns. This threw the Raiders' offseason plans into disarray, but they still chose to keep their agreements with the free agents they had signed, including a record 3-year, $81 million deal with center Tyler Linderbaum.

  • The Raiders' offseason moves took place in March 2026.

The players

John Spytek

The general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Maxx Crosby

A star pass-rusher for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Tyler Linderbaum

A center who signed a record 3-year, $81 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“No. No, we never would operate like that.”

— John Spytek, Raiders GM

What’s next

The Raiders will look to put their offseason moves to the test when the 2026 NFL season begins.

The takeaway

The Raiders' commitment to honoring their free agent deals, even when a major trade fell through, demonstrates their dedication to building a competitive roster through strategic free agency signings. This approach could help establish the Raiders as an attractive destination for future free agents.