Lamar Jackson's Savage Rookie Hazing Of A Future Star Is Unearthed
By 813 Staff
The locker room is buzzing after Lamar Jackson's Savage Rookie Hazing Of A Future Star Is Unearthed, according to Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) (in the last 24 hours).
Source: https://x.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/2032594051237544131
The Las Vegas Raiders have signed former Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum to a four-year deal, a move that instantly solidifies their offensive line but also reignites a long-dormant, playful feud with one of the league’s most electric players. League sources confirm the agreement, worth up to $56 million with $32 million guaranteed, was finalized late last night, bringing the two-time Pro Bowl anchor to the desert. For Raiders fans, it’s a major upgrade in the trenches. For the NFL’s gossip mill, it’s a delicious subplot waiting to unfold, as Linderbaum now finds himself in the same division as the man who once famously roasted him: Lamar Jackson.
The history, as recently surfaced by NFL reporter Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman), dates back to the 2022 NFL Draft. Linderbaum, then a highly-touted prospect out of Iowa, was the subject of a viral video where Jackson, the Ravens’ franchise quarterback, good-naturedly mocked his new teammate’s athletic testing. Jackson joked about Linderbaum’s 40-yard dash time, suggesting he looked like he was running in sand. It became a classic locker room moment, one that defined their relationship in Baltimore—competitive, respectful, but always with an edge. Now, that dynamic shifts from friendly fire to a twice-a-year divisional battle, with Linderbaum tasked with protecting Aidan O’Connell or Gardner Minshew while scheming to stop Jackson’s Chargers.
Why does this matter beyond the trivia? Because the AFC West just got more personal. The Raiders’ front office has been quietly, and aggressively, remaking their identity under Head Coach Antonio Pierce, prioritizing toughness and physicality. Stealing a cornerstone player from a conference rival like Baltimore checks every box. Linderbaum is not just a talented player; he’s a culture fit, known for his nasty on-field demeanor and leadership. His arrival signals a clear intent to win battles at the line of scrimmage and control the clock, a necessity in a division housing Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert—and now, twice annually, his old friend Lamar.
What happens next? The focus turns to September. Those close to the situation say Linderbaum is already excited for the new challenge and the chance to anchor a rebuild, but the circled dates on the schedule will undoubtedly be the Raiders’ clashes with the Los Angeles Chargers. The playful “roast” from years ago will be tested in real time, with Jackson’s pass rushers coming straight up the middle. The Raiders believe they’ve bought a top-tier center in his prime. The league’s observers, however, have also been gifted a stellar narrative that will add spice to an already brutal division race. The quiet part, said aloud years ago, is about to be answered on the field.
Source: https://x.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/2032594051237544131
