Why Raiders are signing ex-Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum in NFL free agency

The Las Vegas Raiders have landed one of the most coveted players in NFL free agency.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Raiders are signing former Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency.

Schefter adds that the deal is for three years and $81 million and includes $60 million guaranteed. Linderbaum is now the highest-paid center in the NFL.

"ESPN Sources: former Ravens free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum reached agreement today on a record deal with the Raiders, who are awarding him with a three-year, $81 million deal that includes $60 million guaranteed and makes him the highest paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history," Schefter repoted.

Why Raiders are signing Tyler Linderbaum

The Raiders attempted to fill the center spot with Jordan Meredith last season but that did not work out and amounted to one of the many mistakes in the short-lived Pete Carroll era.

There was some thought that the Raiders would possibly move Jackson Powers-Johnson there in 2026, but clearly that is not the case.

Making the need at center even more dire is the fact that the Raiders are going to be taking a new franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick and the first step to setting him up for success is a good offensive line.

Now, the Raiders will fill their void up the middle with a three-time Pro Bowl center who is among the best at his position in the NFL.

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