HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders are betting big that a rebuilt offensive line can transform an offense that was among the league's worst last season. General manager John Spytek didn't waste time addressing the unit that ranked dead last in the NFL, a group that made life unbearable for quarterback Geno Smith and running back Ashton Jeanty. His solution: pry three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum away from Baltimore with a record-breaking contract. Linderbaum signed a three-year, $81 million deal with $60 million guaranteed, the richest ever for an interior offensive lineman. The move sent a clear message that the front office is serious about protecting its investment at quarterback and giving Jeanty room to run. But Linderbaum isn't the only reason for optimism. Left tackle Kolton Miller, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury after just four games last year, is back on the field and healthy. For a team that allowed 64 sacks—the most in the league—and averaged a paltry 77.5 rushing yards per game (3.57 per carry), Miller's return feels like a second major acquisition. "I think last year there was a lot of moving pieces," Miller said during training camp. "The goal is to have the best five out there, build together, add to it each day, and really build for long-term success. This isn't easy. Coaching O-line takes time and it's a lot of work. It's underappreciated. You can't get too frustrated about it. You've just got to find ways to improve each day." The numbers from last season paint a grim picture. Smith, now with the New York Jets, threw a league-high 17 interceptions while constantly scrambling. Jeanty, the sixth overall pick in the 2025 draft and a Heisman Trophy runner-up, was routinely met in the backfield. He still managed 975 rushing yards, but his 1.6 yards before contact per attempt was the third-worst among running backs with more than 100 carries, according to Pro Football Reference. That explains why Spytek made reinforcing the offensive line a top priority. While two spots are locked—Linderbaum at center and Miller at left tackle—the other three positions are up for grabs. Third-year player DJ Glaze is the front-runner at right tackle. Spencer Burford, who spent the previous four seasons with San Francisco, has been working as the first-team left guard in the early days of training camp. Third-year pro Jackson Powers-Johnson is holding down the right guard spot. Behind them, Caleb Rogers, Jordan Meredith, and Atonio Mafi are competing for second-team reps. "We have a lot of talented players at that position, and they'll make the decision for us," said coach Klint Kubiak. "We're going to coach them up and we also know that whoever starts in Week 1 doesn't mean that's the starter in Week 17. So we're always developing and getting guys better throughout the entire training camp and throughout the whole season." Kubiak understands the line must improve to give the offense a fighting chance. Beyond Jeanty, the Raiders have key pieces to showcase. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was brought in to stabilize the offense and serve as a mentor for rookie Fernando Mendoza, whom Las Vegas selected first overall in April's draft. The first five practices of camp are not in pads, making it difficult to assess the line's progress. "We're still getting good work with hand placement," Cousins said. "Guys are having to ID things and target it properly. You also have snap counts, urgency in and out of the huddle, conditioning, and a pocket you have to work through. Sometimes the rush may not be as realistic without pads in both directions, but it still gives you something to work off of." The pads will come on soon, and the line will have a clearer picture of where it stands. Linderbaum emphasized the importance of the current phase. "Guys come in the building each and every day and want to improve, and that's all you can ask for out of an offensive unit," he said. "There are not many more reps until we're going to be playing our first preseason game, so the more we can jell during that OTA period time and now camp is really critical and important." For a franchise desperate to turn the page, the early signs in Henderson offer a glimmer of hope. But the real test will come when the pads go on and the Raiders face a regular-season schedule that will quickly reveal whether this reconstructed line can protect the quarterback and open running lanes. The stakes are high, and the Raiders know they cannot afford another season of offensive futility.