Las Vegas backed up the Brinks truck for three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum. They agreed to a massive three-year, $81 million contract that immediately reset the center market. Linderbaum brings 66 consecutive starts of elite blocking experience from Baltimore directly to the Raiders’ interior line. Head Coach Klint Kubiak demands a heavy play-action system. To execute that scheme, a rookie quarterback needs a clean pocket and a brilliant center calling out defensive alignments before the snap. Linderbaum provides exactly that.
“Accuracy, ball placement, command of the offense, and poise in the pocket are all counted among Mendoza’s strengths. These traits are important for quarterbacks to be successful in the NFL. More importantly, Mendoza fits Klint Kubiak’s system. With the Raiders’ young nucleus of weapons, he is the right quarterback to lead this team.”
— Dame Parson, B/R Scout
Mendoza silenced his remaining critics during a flawless 16-0 national championship run at Indiana. He dominated the college football ranks, throwing 41 touchdowns against just six interceptions. He consistently layered passes into impossibly tight windows. Now, reports indicate minority owner Tom Brady and the Raiders brain trust are moving aggressively. Former NFL quarterback Brian Griese is already working closely with the Heisman winner to install the Raiders’ offensive playbook.
I watched Mendoza slice through the Miami defense in the national title game. The stadium shook as the fourth-quarter clock ticked down, but Mendoza remained absolute ice. He took three vicious sacks that night and kept getting back up, eventually rushing for the game-winning 12-yard touchdown. That specific toughness translates to the professional level. He isn’t just a powerful arm; he brings a relentless emotional anchor to a locker room desperate for true leadership.
Las Vegas expects to win right now. The front office voided the Maxx Crosby trade, keeping their most terrifying pass rusher in the building. They added explosive weapons like receiver Jalen Nailor and solidified the defense with Nakobe Dean. The Raiders completely abandoned the idea of a slow, multi-year rebuild. They loaded the cannon for the 2026 season. Kubiak recently mentioned he prefers a rookie sits and learns behind an established veteran. However, the immense pressure and reality of the No. 1 overall pick dictate a different path. Mendoza will undoubtedly take the field this fall. When he does, he inherits the most expensive offensive line addition in franchise history to protect his blindside.
