who did the raiders sign
The Raiders have been busy: their biggest recent moves include signing LB Quay Walker, DE Kwity Paye, CB Eric Stokes (re-signed), WR Jalen Nailor, K Matt Gay, and C Tyler Linderbaum, along with several reserve/futures deals and staff changes.
Who did the Raiders sign? (Quick Scoop)
Headline additions in 2026 free agency
These are the splashy âWho did the Raiders sign?â names fans are talking about right now.
- Tyler Linderbaum, C (from Ravens) â A massive freeâagency swing at center, reported at around an $81 million deal, making him one of the highestâpaid interior linemen ever.
- Quay Walker, LB â Signed to a threeâyear, $40.5 million contract with $28 million guaranteed, immediately stepping in as a centerpiece of the defense.
- Nakobe Dean, LB â Joined alongside Walker to remake the middle of the defense; both got threeâyear deals and are expected to form the âspineâ of the unit.
- Kwity Paye, DE (from Colts) â Agreed to a threeâyear, $48 million contract with $32 million guaranteed, giving Vegas a proven pass rusher off the edge.
- Eric Stokes, CB (reâsign) â Brought back on a threeâyear, $30 million pact with $20 million guaranteed after a breakout season in Las Vegas.
- Jalen Nailor, WR â Signed to a threeâyear, $35 million deal with $23 million guaranteed; a fieldâstretching option who averaged 15.3 yards per catch in 2025.
- Matt Gay, K â Added on a oneâyear deal after moving on from Daniel Carlson; seen as a shortâterm solution while they explore drafting a kicker.
Quick story angle
After the Maxx Crosby trade drama with Baltimore reportedly fell through, the Raiders doubled down on reshaping their core instead of tearing it down.
Theyâve invested heavily in the offensive line (Linderbaum) and the heart of the defense (Walker and Dean), signaling a âwinânow, build the spine firstâ philosophy going into the 2026 season.
Other recent moves and contracts
Beyond the marquee names, the team has quietly stacked depth and future pieces.
- Alex Ward, LS â Signed to a reserve/futures deal on January 21, 2026.
- A cluster of reserve/futures contracts on January 5, 2026:
- RB Chris Collier
- G McClendon Curtis
- G Layden Robinson
- LB Jamin Davis
- WR Phillip Dorsett II
- WR Brenden Rice
- WR Justin Shorter
- DT Treven Maâae
- T Joshua Miles
- T Dalton Wagner
- TE Albert Okwuegbunam
- OL Laki Tasi
These reserve/futures deals are more about camp competition and developmental depth than headline value, but a couple of these names could easily make the 53âman roster if they flash in preseason.
Mini table: Key 2026 Raiders signings
| Player | Position | Reported terms | Role/Expectation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Linderbaum | C | ~$81M, one of the biggest interior OL deals | [3]Anchor of the offensive line, longâterm centerpiece | [3]
| Quay Walker | LB | 3 years, $40.5M, $28M guaranteed | [1]Starting linebacker, toneâsetter in the middle | [7][1]
| Nakobe Dean | LB | 3âyear deal (figures not fully disclosed) | [9][7]Partner with Walker as core of the new defense | [7][9]
| Kwity Paye | DE | 3 years, $48M, $32M guaranteed | [9][1]Primary edge rusher opposite returning Maxx Crosby | [9][1]
| Eric Stokes | CB | 3 years, $30M, $20M guaranteed | [1]CB1/CB2 after strong 2025 season | [1]
| Jalen Nailor | WR | 3 years, $35M, $23M guaranteed | [1]Vertical threat and complementary receiver | [1]
| Matt Gay | K | 1âyear deal | [1]Bridge starter at kicker with draft competition likely | [1]
How this fits the Raidersâ bigger picture
From a âtrending topicâ and forumâstyle angle, the phrase âwho did the Raiders signâ is really about whether these moves change their ceiling in 2026.
- Building insideâout
- Investing huge money in Linderbaum plus previous attention to the offensive line hints they want stability up front before committing to any longâterm quarterback answer.
* Walker and Dean in the middle, plus Paye on the edge and Crosby reportedly staying, gives them a clear defensive identity built around speed and disruption.
- Shortâterm bets vs. longâterm core
- Linderbaum, Walker, Dean, Paye, and Stokes profile as core multiâyear pieces.
* Gay and some of the reserve/futures contracts are lowârisk flyers that can be moved on from quickly if the draft or camp battles go another way.
- What fans are debating in forums
- Some are hyped that the Raiders finally spent on the trenches and second level instead of just chasing skillâposition names.
- Others worry that tying up so much cap in Linderbaum and the linebacker duo could limit flexibility if the offense still needs a quarterback upgrade or another top wideout.
Quick TL;DR
- If youâre asking âwho did the Raiders sign?â in the latest wave:
- Headliners: Tyler Linderbaum (C), Quay Walker (LB), Nakobe Dean (LB), Kwity Paye (DE), Eric Stokes (CB), Jalen Nailor (WR), Matt Gay (K).
* Depth/futures: a long list of young offensive and defensive players, plus LS Alex Ward.
- The theme: strengthen the spine of the roster and the trenches, then fill in around that through the rest of free agency and the 2026 draft.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.