The Ravens’ 2025 season ended on Sunday night, and their 2026 offseason immediately began.
In addition to considering changes to their coaching staff, Baltimore will have to make a number of roster decisions. The most pressing, at least in terms of a timeline, is regarding Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum. The Ravens declined to pick up the 2022 first-rounder’s fifth-year option last offseason, making 2025 a contract year.
Linderbaum, 25, said on Monday that he “absolutely” wants to remain in Baltimore despite his pending free agency. But the financial details are complicated. A franchise tag – projected by OverTheCap to be $27.2MM – is out of the question. That would still set a high floor for extension negotiations in a positional market that is currently topped by Chiefs center Creed Humphrey at $18MM per year. That contract was signed in 2024 with a significantly lower cap, so Linderbaum will likely top it on his next deal. The question is by how much.
The fourth-year center started every game this year and maintained his status as one of the league’s top centers with his third-straight Pro Bowl. His 79.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) of any center, though that was primarily due to his elite run-blocking. In pass protection, though, Linderbaum took a step backwards from his more consistent showings in 2023 and 2024, which featured just 37 combined pressures allowed and a 98.4 pass-blocking efficiency, per PFF. This year alone he allowed 26 pressures with a career-low 97.2 efficiency rating.
Even for the run-heavy Ravens, Linderbaum’s pass protection in the center of the offensive line is crucial. One could argue his stats were dragged down by poor guard play on either side, but there were plenty of situations where he was flat-out beat. But the team’s lack of investment in the guard position also makes his overall talent and leadership more valuable.
Adjusting Humphrey’s contract to the current salary cap yields an APY of $20.8MM, which would be close to the top of a guard market that has exploded in recent years. Linderbaum’s agent will be arguing for that number, while the Ravens will be seeking a smaller bump over Humphrey’s deal. Baltimore has a tight salary cap situation and a confident negotiating style in which they largely stick to their valuation. The team has even been willing to let top pending free agents test their market while keeping communications line open for a potential return to the negotiating table.
But another fundamental element of the Ravens’ team-building strategy is retaining core franchise players, especially former first-round picks who are among the league’s best at their positions. Linderbaum fits that description to a T, and his desire to remain in Baltimore is almost certainly mutual. The two sides will likely engage in negotiations before the start of the new league year with the hope of securing a long-term deal that keeps Linderbaum in purple and black for the foreseeable future.
Steelers
Would do well in Houston