You can apply to a job without a LinkedIn if you want. You don't need a LinkedIn profile. I still get resumes without one.

The benefit of a LinkedIn profile is that I have something I can easily share around to teams or other hiring managers that provides an easy overview of the person in a format they're familiar with.

> an easy overview of the person in a format they're familiar with

The job websites are requiring a linkedin profile in order to submit an application. I had one interview and the guy sounded like a linkedin stream. So I thought about updating mine. I was immediately hit with political propaganda. From the point of view of an established company, it is a test that the person is willing to conform to social standards. It is the modern equivalent of wearing a tie to an interview.