The NFL center market is definitely going to reset after a massive deal signed by a former Hawkeye.
The Baltimore Ravens made the incredibly odd move of not picking up center Tyler Linderbaum's fifth-year option, with the hope of resigning him to a long-term deal.
The Ravens drafted Linderbaum No. 25 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, and were hoping to reach a deal before he hit free agency.
Spoiler alert: they didn't.
The Las Vegas Raiders signed C Tyler Linderbaum to a 3-year, $81 million deal
After Baltimore and Linderbaum could not reach an agreement on a long-term deal, Linderbaum hit the open market and was projected to make a king's ransom when he signed a new deal.
The Las Vegas Raiders had one of the available salary caps entering the free agency period, with $83 million, and they opened the checkbook for a former Hawkeye star.
Sources: The #Raiders are closing in on a deal for #Ravens Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, giving him a 3-year, $81M deal. pic.twitter.com/jymWCPrldG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2026
The NFL is currently in the "legal tampering period," with deals not able to go into effect until Wednesday, March 11, and the Raiders just made a huge deal for the best center on the market.
Linderbaum will reportedly sign a three-year, $81 million deal, making him the highest-paid center in the league and in NFL history.
The previous high was set by Kansas City Chiefs center Chris Humphrey, who signed a four-year, $72 million deal during the 2025 offseason.
Linderbaum has been a Pro Bowler the past three years and is one of the best run-blocking centers in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Linderbaum had an offensive grade of 80.3, the fifth-best in the league.
The Raiders needed offensive line help, especially at the center position, and they got one of the best in the league to block for 2025 first-round pick Ashton Jeanty, and projected 2026 No. 1 overall pick and future starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza.