The Las Vegas Raiders wasted no time making a splash when the NFL’s legal tampering window opened Monday morning. In under seven hours, the team agreed to terms with seven players, committing a staggering $281.5 million in total contract value.
Leading the haul is Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, widely considered the top offensive lineman available. His three-year, $81 million contract with $60 million guaranteed sets a new record for an interior offensive lineman. The Raiders also brought back hometown product Jalen Nailor, a former Bishop Gorman standout, on a three-year, $35 million deal with $23 million guaranteed.
Defensively, the Raiders invested heavily as well. They secured defensive ends Kwity Paye (three years, $48 million) and Malcolm Koonce (one year, $11 million), cornerback Eric Stokes (three years, $30 million, $20 million guaranteed), and linebackers Nakobe Dean (three years, $36 million) and Quay Walker (three years, $40.5 million, $28 million guaranteed).
The spending spree was fueled by the league’s largest cap space entering free agency — $121.7 million. That figure grew after the Raiders traded Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens, freeing an additional $30.69 million, and will increase further when Geno Smith is officially released. With only six other teams holding more than $50 million in available cap space, Las Vegas remains well positioned to continue dominating the market.
