The Washington Commanders reportedly could make an aggressive push for one of the top pending free agents of the 2026 offseason.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the belief around the NFL is Washington will "heavily pursue" Baltimore Ravens pending free agent center Tyler Linderbaum if he doesn't re-up with Baltimore.
"Should he not re-sign with the Ravens, there is a belief among teams that the Commanders will heavily pursue C Tyler Linderbaum in free agency," Schultz reported.
The Commanders have a clear need at center after the team surprisingly cut Tyler Biadasz recently.
Linderbaum is one of the most coveted pending free agents and the expectation has been that he will test the market, which leaves his future in Baltimore very murky.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Linderbaum would provide an upgrade over Biadasz, and signing him would soften the blow of Washington cutting the veteran.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reports that Linderbaum is going to shoot for $25 million per year, but Breer ultimately expects him to get $22-23 million annually.
Pushing that far north of $20 million annually could drive the Ravens away, Breer adds.
"I've heard his camp is shooting for $25 million. And even if they don't quite get there— $22 million or $23 million might be more realistic — there are plenty of potential suitors in the Lions, Bears, Giants, Browns and Chargers to drive the Ravens to a point where they might not be comfortable," Breer wrote.
Linderbaum would reset the market by a massive margin if he lands any of those figures, as the current high-water mark among centers is $18 million per year, which is what the Kansas City Chiefs are paying Creed Humphrey.
While that's an incredibly steep price, the Commanders have the means ($87.6 million in cap space) and motivation (protecting Jayden Daniels) to pay it.
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