The Las Vegas Raiders kicked off the free-agent signing period Monday by agreeing to terms with six players expected to start, plus re-signing two of their own, in a $281.5 million spending burst that general manager John Spytek orchestrated with surgical precision.
Spytek, who cleared cap space in the weeks leading up to the market opening, targeted specific needs around likely No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The Raiders signed the top center available, Tyler Linderbaum, to a three-year, $81 million deal that makes him the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history. Linderbaum, a three-time Pro Bowler, will anchor a line that struggled last season and allow Jackson Powers-Johnson to move to guard full-time.
To give Mendoza a speedy target, the Raiders agreed to a three-year, $35 million contract with former Bishop Gorman standout Jalen Nailor. Nailor, a sixth-round pick in 2022, has 69 catches for 1,066 yards and 11 touchdowns in three seasons with the Vikings.
On defense, the Raiders added two linebackers who starred together at Georgia: Nakobe Dean (three years, $36 million, $20 million guaranteed) and Quay Walker (three years, $40.5 million, $28 million guaranteed). Both will be key in new coordinator Rob Leonard’s 3-4 base scheme.
To replace the pass rush lost when Maxx Crosby was traded to Baltimore last week, the Raiders signed former first-round pick Kwity Paye to a three-year, $48 million deal with $32 million guaranteed. Paye has 30.5 sacks in five seasons with the Colts.
The Raiders also re-signed cornerback Eric Stokes and edge rusher Malcolm Koonce. Koonce, who missed the 2024 season with a knee injury, returns on a one-year, $11 million deal after recording 4.5 sacks in 2025.
One puzzling move was the signing of kicker Matt Gay, likely replacing dependable Daniel Carlson. Carlson, a free agent, would be the second holdover from the Oakland days to depart after Crosby. Only punter AJ Cole and offensive tackle Kolton Miller remain.
