The Las Vegas Raiders will have to make some difficult decisions before the 2025 season officially kicks off in September. Unfortunately, that means saying goodbye to players who won’t survive the final cuts. While it’s never easy to part ways with established veterans, it can be just as disappointing to release a rookie who arrived with high hopes of becoming an important part of the team’s future.
The Raiders have completely retooled under new leadership this offseason and are aiming to return to playoff contention. But one recent draft pick might not get the chance to prove himself in silver and black, despite being viewed as a possible contributor when he was selected.
A Rookie the Raiders May Have to Cut Before Week 1
The Raiders will need to finalize their roster soon, and one name is already emerging as a possible odd man out. Back in April, the team used a seventh-round pick on Minnesota linebacker Cody Lindenberg, a high-energy defender who was praised for his motor and physicality in college.
“I think he’s a great fit,” Raiders director of college scouting Brandon Yeargan said. “He was a green-dot guy for Minnesota. He’s played a lot of football for them. He’s a high, high-character, high-intangible guy…tough, competitive.”
However, the landscape in Las Vegas shifted dramatically in the months that followed the draft. General manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll aggressively rebuilt the linebacker unit by signing multiple established veterans. Elandon Roberts and Devin White joined the team in free agency to fill the starting roles, while Germaine Pratt arrived in June as yet another proven option. Even veteran Jaylon Smith was added to bolster depth.
Meanwhile, second-year linebackers Tommy Eichenberg and Amari Gainer have reportedly impressed coaches this offseason, drawing positive reviews for their development and versatility. That leaves Lindenberg buried on the depth chart.
In a recent feature for Just Blog Baby, Levi Dombro suggested that the Lindenberg’s lack of buzz during OTAs and minicamp is an ominous sign for his chances.
“Lindenberg can certainly help the Raiders down the road, but unless he tears it up at training camp and during the preseason, he could be on the outside looking in come Week 1,” Dombro wrote.
Raiders Linebacker Group Poised for a Major Leap
GettyCody Lindenberg #55 of the Las Vegas Raiders.
There’s always a chance Cody Lindenberg makes the roster, but regardless, the Raiders’ linebacker unit is shaping up to be a strength. Roberts is known as a hard-nosed run defender who sets the tone. White brings rare athleticism and upside as a former Pro Bowler. Pratt and Smith have a chip on their shoulder, and Eichenberg and Gainer are also expected to push for starting snaps, creating what could be the deepest linebacker room Las Vegas has fielded in years.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has quietly built a reputation for developing high-impact linebackers, and this group gives him plenty of tools to work with. That level of competition is ultimately why Dombro believes Lindenberg “has his work cut out for him.”
Fans hoping to see him in action may have to be patient, as the Raiders may choose to prioritize keeping proven veterans and higher-upside players with more experience.
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