It always seemed a long shot for the Baltimore Ravens to keep three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, and that has proved to be correct.
Linderbaum signed a three-year, $80 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders as Klint Kubiak's offense gets a stud to anchor the offensive line.
The Ravens had a market-setting offer on the table for Tyler, but it appears the Raiders weren't willing to throw more money at the center, and now Linderbaum moves on.
Now, Baltimore has to find Lamar Jackson a new center, something that won't be a cheap exercise as the franchise looks to return to the playoffs in 2026.
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The offseason was already looming as a big one for Baltimore, and yes, Maxx Crosby was signed, but the trouble was on offense.
Now, with the contract situation for Lamar, coupled with the need to get him a new starting center, that is less than ideal for the Ravens.
Of course, we can't begrudge Baltimore for not getting into a bidding war over Linderbaum, as it made its offer, but now, the franchise has to work feverishly to get someone who isn't just a "guy" into the building to be part of the offense.
It was always going to be a difficult task to keep Linderbaum, and now the Ravens have a big hole to fill in free agency.
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