Raiders Make Ex-Ravens Star Tyler Linderbaum the Highest-Paid Center in NFL History, $9 Million More Than Creed Humphrey

The Las Vegas Raiders signed former Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum on a three year deal.

Raiders Make Ex-Ravens Star Tyler Linderbaum the Highest-Paid Center in NFL History, $9 Million More Than Creed Humphrey

Tyler Linderbaum (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • The Las Vegas Raiders signed center Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81 million deal, making him the highest-paid center in NFL history.
  • Linderbaum's contract includes $60 million guaranteed and surpasses Creed Humphrey's annual salary by $9 million.
  • The Raiders aim to strengthen their offensive line after recent player departures, with plans to utilize Jackson Powers-Johnson at right guard.

The Las Vegas Raiders made a big splash after losing two big names to the trade market and free agency. Center Tyler Linderbaum is heading to the desert as the top offensive lineman in this year’s FA market.

On Monday, when the FA frenzy hit, the Raiders made their move by adding the 25-year-old to their roster. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Pro Football Rumors’ projection, Linderbaum is expected to sign a three-year, $81 million ($27 million AAV) deal when he arrives in Sin City.

ESPN Sources: former Ravens free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum reached [an] agreement today [Monday] 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 wrote on X

When it comes to market dominance, Linderbaum’s salary is easily the highest ever for an interior offensive lineman, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. It’s a full $9 million more than what Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs makes in one year.

In August 2024, Humphrey, a two-time Super Bowl champion, signed a four-year contract extension worth $72 million, with $50 million guaranteed.

Signing Tyler Linderbaum makes a lot of sense for the Raiders

The Raiders only saw players leave last week. Quarterback Geno Smith was cut, and All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby was traded to the Ravens in exchange for a couple of first-round draft picks.

Raiders Make Ex-Ravens Star Tyler Linderbaum the Highest-Paid Center in NFL History, $9 Million More Than Creed Humphrey
Tyler Linderbaum (Image via IMAGO)

General manager John Spytek’s latest major move ended up focusing on strengthening a crucial spot in the offense. Per FtnFantasy metrics, the Raiders’ offensive line ranked 19th in the league before week one football and improved to 18th despite winning just three games all year. Alex Cappa and Jordan Meredith shared snaps at center last year.

The Vegas franchise required a proven athlete to guard the quarterback (whoever that may be). Linderbaum was the top free-agent center available. ESPN’s pass block win rate metric ranked Linderbaum fourth among all interior O-linemen last season. Pro Football Focus views the former 25th overall pick as a superior run blocker to most at his position.

It was up to Linderbaum to decide whether he wanted to stay in Baltimore or leave. He opted to try his luck elsewhere, even though the Ravens offered him a far better deal. Jeff Zrebiec revealed that the Ravens were ready to give Linderbaum a four-year, $88 million contract extension.

Linderbaum’s addition put a question mark on emerging interior offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson. There were rumors that Spyetk might use him in a trade. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN tweeted that the Raiders plan to have star JPJ at right guard, with Linderbaum as the starting center.

The Raiders strengthened in the edge rusher department by signing former Indianapolis Colt Kwity Paye on a $16 million/year deal. Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker were also signed to three-year deals.

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