The Las Vegas Raiders had the most available cap space as the free agency negotiating window opened on Monday, and Tom Brady and co. got to work with numerous lucrative deals
11:20 ET, 10 Mar 2026Updated 11:20 ET, 10 Mar 2026
Tyler Linderbaum is now the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history
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Tyler Linderbaum is now the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history(Image: Getty Images)
Tom Brady’s Las Vegas Raiders spent $281.5 million on the first day of free agency as the NFL franchise splashed the cash.
On Monday, as the window for free agency deals to be agreed in principle opened, the Raiders got to work. The AFC West franchise is coming off a 3-14 season, but with new head coach Klint Kubiak and the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the future is bright.
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According to OverTheCap, the Raiders had the most cap space entering free agency in 2026 with a whopping $121.7 million available to spend. After trading Maxx Crosby, Brady and co. got the checkbook out in a big way, adding five players, including one of the most sought-after names on the market.
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In total, the Raiders splashed $281.5 million in total contract value on deals during the opening wave of signings. This made Las Vegas the biggest spender in the NFL, with Tyler Linderbaum serving as the headline signing.
The center agreed to a three-year, $81 million deal that includes $60 million guaranteed and makes him the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history. Linderbaum established himself as one of the best centers in the league with the Baltimore Ravens, being named to three successive Pro Bowls after being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Baltimore did not take up his fifth-year option.
It’s a key signing for the Raiders, whose offensive line failed to get Ashton Jeanty going in 2025. Las Vegas ranked last in 2025 in both yards per carry (3.6) and in yards before contact per rush (0.50).
With Fernando Mendoza likely joining the team next month, Linderbaum is a huge addition. Last season, Linderbaum — who also boasts the second-best pass block win rate among centers since entering the league — was a major reason why the Ravens rushed for 156.6 yards per game, the second-best mark in the NFL, and produced a league-high 5.3 yards per carry.
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Jalen Nailor scored 11 touchdowns over his four seasons with the Vikings
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Jalen Nailor scored 11 touchdowns over his four seasons with the Vikings(Image: Getty Images)
Brady made another addition to the Raiders offense in the form of receiver Jalen Nailor. He agreed to a three-year contract worth $35 million, including $23 million guaranteed, bringing speed and a nose for the end zone to Sin City.
Selected in the sixth round in 2022, Nailor spent most of his time with the Minnesota Vikings as the No. 3 receiver behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. In 55 games over four seasons, Nailor has caught 69 passes for 1,066 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The bulk of the Raiders’ money was spent on defense, though. In moves to improve their defense, the Raiders reached deals with linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean as well as defensive end Kwity Paye and cornerback Eric Stokes.
Walker, the No. 22 overall pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2022, tallied a career-high 128 tackles last season and was one of the most coveted linebackers available. Walker agreed to a three-year deal worth $40.5 million, including $28 million in guaranteed money, after the 25-year-old became the second Packers player since 1975 to record at least 100 tackles in each of his first four NFL seasons, achieving the feat in 2025 despite missing three games.
Quay Walker represents a key defensive addition by the Raiders
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Quay Walker represents a key defensive addition by the Raiders(Image: Getty Images)
Dean, meanwhile, agreed to a three-year deal worth $36 million, with $20 million guaranteed. He appeared in 47 games with 27 starts for the Philadelphia Eagles, tallying 226 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 19 tackles for loss, along with a Super Bowl ring.
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The Raiders then swooped for Paye, who landed a three-year, $48 million deal with $32 million guaranteed. The 2021 first-round pick was a five-year starter for the Indianapolis Colts, developing a reputation as a strong edge setter and run defender.
Paye’s 34 tackles for losses since 2022 are second only to Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (39) among Colts players. The 27-year-old has 30.5 career sacks.
Finally, the Raiders bolstered the secondary with the addition of Stokes, who inked a one-year deal worth $4.5 million after leaving the Packers. Las Vegas also re-signed defensive end Malcolm Koonce to a one-year, $11 million contract, concluding a busy day for Brady and general manager John Spytek.