Cash rules everything around the NFL. Lucky for their fans, the Las Vegas Raiders are rolling in it.
The Raiders quickly flexed their wallet as the window opened Monday morning for teams to begin negotiating contracts with players set to become unrestricted free agents.
With seven different deals set in less than seven hours, the Raiders spent $281.5 million in total value of those transactions combined – although signings can’t become official until the start of the new league year Wednesday.
Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, the top offensive lineman on the market, had the biggest sticker price. To secure him for three years, the Raiders gave him a record-setting deal for an interior offensive lineman, worth $81 million over three years with $60 million guaranteed.
Former Bishop Gorman wide receiver Jalen Nailor earned a three-year, $35 million deal with $23 million guaranteed.
The Raiders also spared no expense on their defense.
Defensive ends Kwity Paye (three-years, $48 million) and Malcolm Koonce (1-year $11 million deal) agreed to deals. Cornerback Eric Stokes will return to the Raiders on a three-year, $30 million contract with $20 million guaranteed. Linebackers Nakobe Dean (three years, $36 million) and Quay Walker (three-years, $40.5 million deal with $28 million guaranteed) will also join the fold.
The money spent will barely put a dent in the billfold, as the Raiders entered free agency with $121.7 million available to spend, the most in the NFL.
That number increased after the Raiders traded Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens, which created $30.69 million more in cap space. That number will keep growing when Geno Smith is officially released.
Considering that only six other teams in the NFL have more than $50 million in available cap space, the Raiders have the funds to enjoy full command of the market as free agency continues.
Contact Callie Fin at cfin@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Callie__Fin on X.
