The Las Vegas Raiders have only been able to identify one major flaw in prized free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum.
There is only one of him.
“I wish we could have five of those guys, that would be freaking awesome,” veteran left tackle Kolton Miller said of Linderbaum’s leadership impact and ability to communicate calls and protections with the offensive line. “When we go to team (drills), we get the call point, and we’re just able to go. That’s what Coach (Klint) Kubiak wants us to do. He’s emphasizing us running the ball, coming off together as a group. So, we’re doing that and he’s really taking charge.”
It’s exactly why Kubiak identified Linderbaum early on as one of the key targets for general manager John Spytek to pursue in free agency.
Kubiak knew that not only did Linderbaum’s athleticism perfectly fit his scheme, but also that he would be the kind of leader and communicator who would instantly make the entire group better after a dreadful 2025.
The early returns just more than a week into training camp have been very good.
“I don’t think anybody won’t benefit from Tyler,” offensive line coach Rick Dennison said. “I think he’s done a really good job. He’s athletic and he leads. He does all the drills. But I think everybody out there has worked their tail off, right? I really do. I think they came in with a great attitude. We’re going to do the best we can, we’re going to improve and get better every day, and you can see him strive for it right there.”
It’s not in Linderbaum’s nature to accept such praise.
He was quick to deflect and point out the group has several other leaders, including Miller who is the longest-tenured Raiders player and is highly-respected in the locker room.
The 26-year-old Iowa native said he’s just fulfilling the requirements.
“I think the role as a center, it’s your job to get everyone in the right spots, communicate as best as you can, and then get everyone to play at a high level, which is I think very critical and important.” Linderbaum said. “The more we can do that, the more successful we’re going to be as a team.”
Of course, they also have to play well.
That should be no problem for Linderbaum, who was ranked as the third-best center in the league by Pro Football Focus this week.
“The Raiders couldn’t have picked a better centerpiece to build around up front,” the website wrote. “Linderbaum’s elite run-blocking ability profiles perfectly for the diverse run scheme new head coach Klint Kubiak aims to deploy in 2026. The 26 year-old center has the movement skills to excel in zone concepts and the strength to anchor the interior in gap concepts. His grading profile supports what you see on tape, as Linderbaum has posted a top five PFF run-blocking grade among centers in three of his four seasons as a pro.”
Translation: He has played very well consistently every year he has been in the league.
The challenge will be different this year as he moves from the Baltimore Ravens to the Raiders, but his job remains the same.
Communication, organization and execution.
He is already building cohesion with Spencer Burford and Jackson Powers-Johnson, who have taken the vast majority of the first-team reps at the two guard spots throughout training camp.
Offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko has been extremely impressed with all of the classroom work and pre-snap communication and organization on the field thus far in training camp.
While he’s not ready to commit to who will start on either side of Linderbaum, he credited his center for being a dependable anchor on the inside.
“Then the rest of the guys, being on the same page,” he said of what he wants to see. “Working together as we go about finding our best five to put out on the field, how that fits together, and then how they start to build their continuity with each other.”
So far, so good.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
