It would be easy to view the massive outlay of free-agent spending the Las Vegas Raiders did during Monday’s opening day as a chaotic shopping spree.
The reality is general manager John Spytek showed up with a list and methodically went up and down the aisles with a purpose, ticking every box with precision in the most sure sign yet the Raiders are now a serious organization.
Spytek’s goal of clearing the books and creating enough cap space to make a big splash ahead of the arrival of likely No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza came to life over the course of a few hours after the market opened.
When it was over, or at least paused for the night, the Raiders had brought in five new projected starters — in addition to the one they traded for Sunday — and retained two of their own free agents.
They agreed to spend $281.5 million (before a late kicker signing) in new money to significantly upgrade the roster at several positions of need.
It would have been malpractice to put Mendoza behind an offensive line that struggled last season, so the Raiders signed the best center on the market in Tyler Linderbaum, who should make the entire group better.
Spytek turned to a local product, former Bishop Gorman receiver Jalen Nailor, and gave Mendoza a speedy option at wide receiver.
The Raiders had a dearth of capable linebackers, which could be a problem for a defense that plans to switch to a 3-4 base. Spytek found a pair of linebackers with elite skill sets, Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, who were stars and teammates on Georgia’s national championship teams.
Another member of that Bulldogs unit, cornerback Eric Stokes, avoided free agency after spending last year as the Raiders’ most consistent member of the secondary. He got a new deal as did edge rusher Malcolm Koonce, who showed occasional signs last year of getting back to his late-2023 form before a knee injury cost him the 2024 season.
But Koonce isn’t enough to fix the pass rush, especially after the team traded away Maxx Crosby for two first-round picks last week. Enter underachieving, former first-round pick Kwity Paye from Indianapolis.
Spytek worked with a surgeon’s precision to start laying a foundation for what he hopes can be sustainable success, a standard that has not been experienced by the organization in many years.
One potential misstep was a somewhat confusing late move to sign inconsistent 31-year-old kicker Matt Gay as a likely replacement for dependable Daniel Carlson.
Otherwise, it could go down as a huge turning point should the Raiders turn around their fortunes.
Here is a closer look at some of the signings:
Linderbaum
Linderbaum’s contract will make him the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history.
The deal, which can’t be officially signed until the new league year begins on Wednesday, will pay him more than any other center by a wide margin.
Linderbaum has agreed to a three-year deal for $81 million that includes $60 million in guarantees, an average annual value of $27 million.
Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey had been at the top of the center market at $18 million per season. Tyler Smith of the Cowboys is the highest-paid guard at $24 million.
Linderbaum, who just finished his rookie contract with the Ravens, earned the payday by reaching the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons.
He is a great fit for new coach Klint Kubiak’s system as an elite zone run blocker with the athleticism to get out in space and clear a path.
Linderbaum, who will turn 26 next month, was a first-round pick out of Iowa in 2021. He has been as durable as he has been successful over his four seasons, missing just two games since entering the league and making 66 starts in his four seasons.
His presence will allow Jackson Powers-Johnson to focus on playing guard full-time. The Raiders also have guard Caleb Rogers entering his second season.
Paye
A former first-round pick, the defensive end who will help fill a major hole created by last week’s trade of Maxx Crosby.
The former Michigan star has 30.5 sacks in five seasons with the Colts.
Paye will get $48 million over three years with $32 million guaranteed, though the deal can’t be signed until the new league year begins Wednesday.
Walker and Dean
The Raiders needed to bolster their depleted linebacker corps as they move to a 3-4 base defense under new coordinator Rob Leonard.
They found a pair of good ones on the first day of free agency.
The Raiders added two of the best linebackers on the market in Philadelphia’s Dean and Green Bay’s Walker as both have agreed to three-year deals. Walker, a former first-round pick, will get $40.5 million with $28 million in guarantees. Dean’s deal will come in slightly under that with $20 million of his $36 million guaranteed.
Nailor
Nailor, who won three state football titles at Bishop Gorman and filled up a trophy case on the track, has agreed to terms on a free-agent contract worth $35 million over three years with $23 million guaranteed.
He was a sixth-round pick of the Vikings in 2022 out of Michigan State and has spent his entire career in Minnesota.
Nailor has 69 catches for 1,066 yards and 11 touchdowns in three seasons.
Gay
The signing of Gay almost assuredly signals the end of Carlson’s stint with the organization.
Carlson, who is a free agent, would be the second holdover from the franchise’s days in Oakland to leave the team in the last week after Crosby was traded to Baltimore on Friday.
Only punter AJ Cole and offensive tackle Kolton Miller remain.
Koonce
The defensive end is back on a one-year deal worth $11 million and is another option to help pick up the production lost in the Crosby trade.
Koonce returned last season after missing all of 2024 with a knee injury. He was serviceable in 2025, accounting for just 4½ sacks. He played last season on a one-year, $12 million deal.
Koonce had eight sacks in 2023. Then came the injury.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
