Coming off a disappointing 2025 season, the Detroit Lions entered a big spring. The offensive line was a major concern, and many fans believed that the answer to their problems was center Tyler Linderbaum.
The Lions scrambled all year long after Frank Ragnow announced his retirement last summer and after Graham Glasgow was released. Some fans believed that plugging Linderbaum in his place would fix an offensive line that took a step back.
The Las Vegas Raiders spoiled that dream in the end, making Linderbaum the highest-paid center in NFL history with a three-year, $81 million contract. While the price tag of $27 million per season was way too steep for the Lions, it may have worked out in their best interest as they look to rebuild the roster for the 2026 season.
Lions Benefit Big After Tyler Linderbaum Signs with Raiders
You don’t need to squint to see how much Linderbaum could have helped the Lions.
A physical presence in the running game, Linderbaum has produced a run-blocking grade over 80 in three of his four seasons and posted a career-high 80.2 overall grade on 1,007 snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. While his 63.4 pass-blocking grade wasn’t ideal, few pass rushers have gotten past him on the way to the quarterback, with five career sacks allowed on 2,262 pass-blocking snaps.
Adding Linderbaum would have allowed Tate Ratledge to focus on right guard and give Christian Mahogany a solid partner to his right. The plan would have been further put into motion if the Lions had followed through on releasing Taylor Decker and moving Penei Sewell to the blind side to replace him; it would have cleared the way for a draft pick to take over at right tackle. But this plan would have had several flaws.
Linderbaum's price tag was the biggest issue, and even if he received something closer to the $18 million per season that Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs was making as the previous highest-paid center, it would have taken significant financial gymnastics to fit Detroit’s cap situation.
That also would have hindered their ability to sign other free agents. The Lions haven’t made the big splash, but they made smaller moves that could make them a better team next fall. Pivoting to Cade Mays at the center position saved them a whopping $18.7 million per season, and while the Lions still plan on moving Sewell to left tackle, they were able to sign Larry Borom to start at right tackle and potentially buy time if they decide to take a rookie offensive tackle in April’s draft.
The defense has also benefited from Linderbaum heading to Vegas. D.J. Wonnum, Roger McCreary, Christian Izien, and Damone Clark were some of the additions made to help defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, creating some of the depth Detroit hasn’t had over the past couple of seasons.
The biggest win could come in the next few weeks as the Lions look to hammer out multiple extensions. A new deal for Jahmyr Gibbs, who is projected to make $20.2 million per season, according to Spotrac’s projections, will likely be the top priority. But Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch could all be extended in the build to next season, making whatever available funds the Lions have even more important.
Adding Linderbaum would have been fun and a big step toward head coach Dan Campbell’s directive to return the Lions to their physical roots. But for the cost and the measures it would have taken to bring him in, seeing him sign elsewhere can be considered a big win this offseason.