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Posted on: March 9, 2026, 07:25h.
Last updated on: March 9, 2026, 07:25h.
- Raiders sign centre Tyler Linderbaum to a record deal
- Raiders also bolster defence, using salary cap space
- Focus now turns to NFL Draft April 23
Today was the day, as of noon EST, where NFL teams could negotiate with pending unrestricted free agents, and the league saw a tsunami of signings. The Las Vegas Raiders, with the most salary cap room ($130 million) of any team in the league going in, got busy fast.
Linderbaum Signing
Leading the way was signing C Tyler Linderbaum, one of the most coveted free agents out there, to a record deal – three years, $81 million, including $60 million guaranteed (highest paid interior lineman signing in NFL history). Really smart move, unless there’s the shock of all shocks and the Raiders don’t use their No. 1 overall NFL draft pick to pick quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Heisman Trophy winner.
Linderbaum is absolutely necessary to protect Mendoza. The Raiders had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last season.
Defence Pick-Ups
Jackson Powers-Johnson will play at guard with the acquisition of Linderbaum. Do the Raiders use the No. 14 pick in the draft, which they picked up from the Baltimore Ravens in the Maxx Crosby trade, to use on another offensive line pick up (guard Olaivavega Ioane from Penn State)?
The 2026 NFL league year and free agency period officially begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m. EST – all 2025 contracts expire and teams can officially sign free agents and execute trades, with the salary cap at $301.2 million.
Stokes Returns on a 3-Year Deal
Other Raiders’ signings today: WR Jalen Nailor, three years, $35 million, not an elite level signing, but solid, with 29 receptions for 444 yards, and four touchdowns last season for the Minnesota Vikings, 15.3 yards per reception.
Raiders also announced deals with LB Quay Walker (three years, $40.5 million) and Nakobe Dean (three years, $36 million), and DE Kwity Paye (three years, $48 million) to beef up the defence, which lost the multiple Pro Bowl DE Crosby in the trade with the Ravens. Defensive end Malcolm Koonce signed for one year, $11 million.
Cornerback Eric Stokes returns to the Raiders on a three-year $30 million deal, after a strong year in 2025 with the Raiders, with 53 tackles over 16 games.
Busy Day on the NFL Free Agent Front
A spokesperson from theScore Bet told us there’s been “nothing notable” in terms of line movement after a busy day on the free agency front, that saw headlines like WR Mike Evans signing with the San Francisco 49ers for three years, $60.4 million, Super Bowl MVP RB Kenneth Walker III signing a 3-year, $45 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, TE Travis Kelce returning to the Chiefs for one year, $12 million, QB Tua Tagovailoa signing with the Atlanta Falcons for one year at $1.7 million, WR Malik Willis agrees to a three-year, $67.5 million deal with the Dolphin, and RB Travis Etienne Jr. signing for four years at $52 million with the New Orleans Saints.
The Raiders are +20000 to win the Super Bowl at DraftKings, along with the Dolphins, the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. The Arizona Cardinals are at +30000.
Mendoza is at -20000 at DraftKings to go No. 1 in the NFL draft.
