While the Las Vegas Raiders made a few big signings in free agency, it’s without question that center Tyler Linderbaum was the most significant addition to the Raiders’ roster. The center signed a historic three-year, $81 million contract and brings stability to the offensive line, Las Vegas biggest weakness last season.
To get to know Linderbaum better, Silver and Black Pride reached out to our friends at Baltimore Beatdown, and Nikhil Mehta was kind enough to answer a few questions for Raider Nation.
Q: What would you say are Linderbaum’s biggest strengths and weaknesses?
A: Linderbaum’s athleticism makes him one of the best zone-blocking centers in the NFL and an ideal fit for Klint Kubiak’s scheme. He is an absolute weapon out in space, especially on screens. The 25-year-old is also an excellent communicator at the line of scrimmage and a leader for the entire offensive line. Linderbaum’s biggest weakness is his lack of size and length, which impacts his anchor and ability to move bigger defensive tackles, though his background as a wrestler shows up as he frequently outmaneuvers and out-leverages his opponents.
Q: While the Ravens didn’t pick up Linderbaum’s fifth-year option or franchise tag him, they were reportedly looking to extend him before free agency began. Why wasn’t Baltimore able to get a deal done with the three-time Pro Bowler?
A: Simple: the Raiders made him an offer he couldn’t refuse, and one that the Ravens would never match.
Baltimore got up to $22 million per year, $4 million over the top of the center market, which still seemed like a lot for a center. So a 50% increase to a $27 million APY for just three years of control was way out of their price range. With such a top-heavy salary cap picture already, general manager Eric DeCosta would not be willing to break a positional market to that degree, especially when the weaker part of Linderbaum’s game is in the more important part of the offense.
Q: Pass protection seems to be the biggest knock on Linderbaum. Was that an issue with the Ravens, and is there a particular type of defensive lineman that he struggles with?
A: The discussion around Linderbaum’s valuation largely centered around his pass protection, which has natural limitations due to his size, strength, and length. Accordingly, bigger, stronger, and longer defensive tackles can give him fits in the pass rush, though his understanding of leverage and positioning allows him to lose slowly. But the conversation might have gone too far, as Linderbaum is not bad in pass protection. He’s just not elite, which showed up more in 2025 than in years past, partially due to deficient guard play on both sides.
Q: Based on what you saw from him in Baltimore, who do you think will benefit more from having Linderbaum at center: Ashton Jeanty or Fernando Mendoza?
A: This is a tough one. On the one hand, Linderbaum’s leadership in the center of the offense will be a huge boon to Mendoza as he begins his NFL career. On the other hand, he could completely revitalize the Raiders’ run blocking and open space for Jeanty to shine after his disappointing rookie year.
But a strong running game will also take some pressure off the rookie quarterback, so I’ll say that Mendoza stands to benefit more. Linderbaum will help him diagnose the defense and communicate adjustments before the snap while anchoring Las Vegas’ new-look offensive line on every play.
Q: How is Linderbaum as a leader/teammate, and what type of person is he off the field?
A: Linderbaum is a strong leader who was respected and loved inside the Ravens’ locker room. As evidenced by his introduction video to the Raiders’ fanbase, he can be a bit reserved, but he’s a student of the game who loves to talk ball. He has also partnered with The Big O Foundation, a mental health charity based in his home state of Iowa, and was a constant presence at the Ravens’ community activities. In general, he’s a low-key guy.
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