The Baltimore Ravens are battling their way back into the playoff picture after a very slow start to the 2025 campaign, as they have won three straight games to push their record back to 4-5. Considering how the team entered the year with Super Bowl expectations, anything short of a deep playoff run would be considered a catastrophic result for Baltimore.
There are several reasons why the 2025 campaign is so important for the Ravens. One is simply that once the season ends, the team could end up losing some key players, such as star center Tyler Linderbaum, who is set to hit free agency over the offseason. Baltimore would obviously love to keep Linderbaum in town, but one NFL insider revealed why it may have trouble doing so.
Ravens Facing Tyler Linderbaum Contract Dilemma
The Ravens selected Linderbaum with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft with the hope that he would become their center of the future. In his fourth season now, Linderbaum has quickly established himself as one of the top players in the league at his position, as he’s earned two straight Pro Bowls thanks to his play up front for Baltimore.
While Linderbaum had a fifth-year option in his contract, the Ravens’ front office declined it, meaning he is scheduled to hit free agency this upcoming offseason. The team obviously is happy with Linderbaum’s play, but the problem is that the salary for the fifth-year options for offensive linemen is that it is the same across the board, regardless of position. So if Baltimore exercised Linderbaum’s option, it would have been paying him the sort of money tackles receive.
Again, that doesn’t necessarily mean the team doesn’t want to keep him in town, but it sets the stage for some complex negotiations over the offseason. One NFL insider, Dan Graziano of ESPN, noted that while the team has had discussions with Linderbaum about a new contract, it could ultimately be priced out of his market should he hit free agency.
“Baltimore has had discussions with Linderbaum about a long-term contract, and it’s possible they will reach an agreement that keeps him off the market,” Dan Graziano of ESPN reported. “Linderbaum is a tricky case, though, because of how centers are compensated. He’s a critical part of their offense, but would they make him the league’s highest-paid center? Currently, that title belongs to Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey at $18 million per year.”
Should the Ravens Hand Tyler Linderbaum a Contract Extension?
GettyOne NFL insider believes the Ravens could have a tough time re-signing Tyler Linderbaum over the offseason
The NFL’s unique fifth-year option setup for offensive linemen has put the Ravens in a bind with Linderbaum. In a perfect world, the team would have been able to exercise its option and kick these extension talks down the line. Instead, this situation is going to have to be resolved soon, or else the team could risk losing Linderbaum for nothing in free agency.
It’s tough to see Baltimore letting Linderbaum leave in free agency, but if push comes to shove, the front office may have no choice. Linderbaum could be looking to become the highest-paid center in the league, and while he’s a great player, it remains to be seen if he’s deserving of that title. One way or another, the Ravens have a tough decision to make with Linderbaum that will be worth keeping tabs on once the offseason gets underway.
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