Insider suggests offensive line battle is already over

The offensive line has taken center stage as the Las Vegas Raiders are deciding hotly-contested position battles in training camp.

Prior to the start of training camp in July, it seemed like a certainty that Jackson Powers-Johnson would reprise his role as starting center. However, the past couple of weeks have seen an unexpected development on that front. Powers-Johnson has instead primarily lined up at the guard spots, while Jordan Meredith has gotten consistent reps as the first-team center.

Now, an insider suggests that the battle has concluded.

The Raiders appear willing to test out their new-look offensive line.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore, Powers-Johnson being moved to the guard rotation is an indication that Meredith is close to being named the team’s starting center.

“With Powers-Johnson no longer in the center rotation, it appears Meredith is closing in on winning the job, if he hasn’t already,” wrote Bonsignore.

“While Meredith has not taken a regular-season snap at center, he’s been getting reps at that position during practice throughout his three seasons with the team.”

It appears strange that Meredith is taking over as center, but his ascension to the starting lineup is justifiable.

Stepping up in the wake of injuries, Meredith emerged as one of the big surprises for the Raiders in 2024. Rotating at both guard spots, Meredith did not give up a single sack, ranking as the 10th-highest graded guard according to Pro Football Focus. While he has not played an NFL snap at center, the team is expressing confidence that Meredith is up for the challenge.

No one expected the battle between Meredith and Powers-Johnson to unfold as it has, but the Raiders will not complain if both do their part to keep the offense humming along.