Tyler Linderbaum
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 09: Tyler Linderbaum #64 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on during warmups before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Ravens might not have the juice to keep up in the Tyler Linderbaum sweepstakes. The standout Ravens center has reached the end of his four-year rookie contract and is a pending free agent, expected to get a lot of attention on the open market. The Ravens want to keep him around, but the bidding way for Linderbaum’s services is heating up and Baltimore has other needs to address, as well.
A former first-round pick out of Iowa, Baltimore selected Linderbaum with the No. 25 overall pick in 2022. The Ravens declined his fifth-year option last year, setting him up to hit free agency this offseason. With a new head coach in former Chargers DC Jesse Minter, he’ll have a tall task ahead of him in replacing Linderbaum if he does indeed leave Baltimore.
ESPN Insider on the AFC Team That’s a ‘Threat’ to Sign C Tyler Linderbaum Away From the Baltimore Ravens
Tyler Linderbaum & Lamar Jackson
GettyORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 19: Tyler Linderbaum #64 of the Baltimore Ravens waits to snap the ball to Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens against the Buffalo Bills during the AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium on January 19, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
On Sunday, ESPN insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano collaborated on an article detailing what they’ve been hearing on free agency at the NFL Scouting Combine. All week, the entire league descended upon Indianapolis to watch the top draft prospects — and with so many coaches, executives, agents, and media members in one place, word gets around.
“Meanwhile, the Ravens hope they can keep free agent center Tyler Linderbaum,” Graziano wrote. “But plenty of people in Indy [at the Combine] believe he will get offers that exceed $20 million per year, and that Baltimore won’t want to go that high.”
“The highest-paid center in the league is Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey at $18 million per year, and while [Ravens] GM Eric DeCosta told reporters at the combine that the Ravens had made a “market-setting offer” for Linderbaum, that might not turn out to be enough. Baltimore is already looking out for upgrades at guard (it would not be a surprise to see it address that position in the first round of the draft) and now could need a new center.”
“The Chargers are looking for interior offensive line help and are a threat to sign Linderbaum (Chargers GM Joe Hortiz was in Baltimore when the Ravens drafted him),” Graziano later added.
If the Chargers do sign Linderbaum, he’d be playing for Jim Harbaugh, the brother of former Ravens HC John Harbaugh.
What Can the Baltimore Ravens Do if They Lose Tyler Linderbaum in Free Agency?
Thankfully for the Ravens, even if they do lose Linderbaum to the Chargers (or another team), it’s a good center draft. Florida’s Jake Slaughter, Auburn’s Connor Lew, Kansas State’s Sam Hecht, Indiana’s Pat Coogan, and Iowa’s Logan Jones are all quality options available at various points in the draft.
Of course, none of those players are as good as Linderbaum. Losing him would be a big blow to the Ravens.