This offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders backed up the Brink’s truck to sign former Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum.
In March 2026, Linderbaum agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders worth $81 million, including $60 million in guarantees, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Nonetheless, one NFL team is getting called out for not outbidding the Silver and Black in free agency.
With free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft now in the rear-view mirror, teams have a rough indication of who their starters will be this upcoming season.
As a result, The Team 980’s Kevin Sheehan notes that the Washington Commanders should have done more to fix their offensive line. Moreover, Sheehan stated that Washington should’ve outbid the Raiders for Linderbaum.
“For me, it’s: Why didn’t [Commanders general manager] Adam Peters just pay the extra $3 million or $4 million a year and beat out the Raiders’ offer on Tyler Linderbaum, knowing that they’d be adding not just their starting center, and a very good one, but a guy who could potentially be their best offensive lineman?” Sheehan said in a May 12 video.
Last season for the Ravens, Linderbaum recorded a 79.8 overall PFF grade. Moreover, the center registered a PFF pass-blocking grade of 63.4 and a run-blocking grade of 83.2.
Linderbaum also allowed 26 total pressures in pass protection, giving up two sacks and one hit to opposing pass rushers. Furthermore, he also received five penalties during the season.
Commanders Should’ve Reset the Market for Raiders Center
Sheehan noted that he wouldn’t be a fan of the Commanders overpaying for a player in most circumstances, especially if it resets the market for a position, which the Raiders did with Linderbaum. However, the offensive line appears to be one in which Sheehan is willing to make an exception.
“That’s one that you don’t want to crazily overpay the market,” Sheehan added. “You don’t want to set those precedents. But if you’re going to do it, do it for a great player. Do it for the player more than even the position, and make sure that offensive line now has Laremy Tunsil, Sam Cosmi, and Tyler Linderbaum as three-fifths of it. Pretty impressive.”
Trey Zuhn Doesn’t Hold Back on Fernando Mendoza
Linderbaum will now anchor the Raiders’ offensive line, and one of the potential players who could start this season is Trey Zuhn. The Silver and Black took the 23-year-old offensive lineman in the third round, No. 91 overall, in the 2026 NFL Draft.
On May 2, Zuhn spoke with reporters, sharing his initial thoughts on fellow rookie Fernando Mendoza, whom he and Linderbaum will need to protect at some point this upcoming 2026 season.
“It’s been great getting to know him, getting to talk with him off the field, on the field, working the playbook,” Zuhn told reporters. “We had a walkthrough last night, getting some snaps and time together.
“So it’s been great getting to know him… He’s a guy’s guy; he connects with everybody. He’s super friendly, easy to talk to, and getting to know everybody. So he’s a great leader, and I’m happy to be working with him.”
Commanders Get Brutal Statement Over Raiders’ Tyler Linderbaum