Tom Brady’s Las Vegas Raiders sign Tyler Linderbaum from Baltimore Ravens in record $81million deal
The Las Vegas Raiders are signing free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum on a record three-year, $81million contract.
Linderbaum, who just wrapped up the fourth and final year of his rookie contract with the Baltimore Ravens, will become the highest-paid center in NFL history when he officially joins Las Vegas on Wednesday.
His mammoth deal surpasses the previous record set by Creed Humphrey, who penned a four-year, $72m extension with the Kansas City Chiefs last year.
The arrival of Linderbaum is a huge coup for Tom Brady’s Raiders, who allowed Maxx Crosby to head in the opposite direction to Baltimore last week.
The 25-year-old offensive lineman was set to hit the free-agency market after the Ravens opted not to place its franchise tag on him. The tag was projected at $27.764m for 2026.
Baltimore also chose not to activate his fifth-year option, which would have earned him $23.4m.
The Raiders are signing free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum on a record $81million contract
Linderbaum has emerged as one of the NFL’s leading centers since being drafted by the Ravens with the 25th overall pick in 2022, with his mobility creating open rushing lanes for star quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry.
The former Iowa college star has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the past three seasons, while proving himself durable after missing just two games through injury in four years.
In Las Vegas, he will likely be providing protection for a rookie quarterback in Fernando Mendoza, who the Raiders are expected to take with the first overall pick in this year’s Draft.
Mendoza, who guided Indiana to the national championship last season, has long been slated to be the No. 1 pick amid his success with the Hoosiers.
