Noah Martin Signs With Raiders In Surprise NFL Free Agency Move

Noah Martin Signs With Raiders In Surprise NFL Free Agency Move...

Linebacker Noah Martin has agreed to a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, the team announced Monday. The unexpected signing comes as the Raiders bolster their defense ahead of the 2026 season.

Martin, 27, spent his first five NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He recorded 89 tackles and 4.5 sacks last year, emerging as a reliable starter. The Raiders reportedly offered a two-year, $18 million contract with incentives.

The move is trending as fans debate whether Martin can help turn around a Raiders defense that ranked 24th in points allowed last season. Las Vegas has been aggressive in free agency, also adding veteran cornerback Marcus Peters earlier this week.

Raiders GM Tom Telesco called Martin "a perfect fit for our system" in a statement. The linebacker will likely start alongside Divine Deablo in new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham's scheme.

Social media reactions have been mixed, with some fans praising the value signing while others question if Martin is enough to fix the team's defensive woes. The Raiders finished 7-10 last season and haven't made the playoffs since 2021.

Free agency continues through March, with teams racing to fill roster holes before the NFL Draft in April. The Raiders hold the No. 14 overall pick and could still add more defensive help.

Martin is expected to join the team for offseason workouts next month. His first game in silver and black could come August 8 when the Raiders face the Dallas Cowboys in the Hall of Fame Game.