The Baltimore Ravens have extended a significant contract offer to center Tyler Linderbaum as they aim to keep the player who is a top pending free agent. During the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, General Manager Eric DeCosta confirmed ongoing negotiations, emphasizing the team’s desire to secure Linderbaum before the new league year begins.
Team Leaders Express Strong Desire to Keep Linderbaum
Eric DeCosta noted that discussions about Linderbaum’s future have been continuous since the end of last season, adding that the Ravens have delivered a market-setting proposal.
We’ve been having conversations, we’ve had conversations since the end of the season,
DeCosta stated.
At this point in time, we’ve made him a market-setting deal proposal offer. Hopefully, we can get something done with him between now and the start of the new league year.
Head Coach Jesse Minter also praised Linderbaum during the Combine, describing him as a central figure in the team’s offense and highlighting his high ranking among interior linemen.
I think he’s the best center in the league. I think he’s one of the best interior linemen in the league,
Minter said.
[A] major part of the team here. Somebody we’d love to have back… I think he knows how we feel about him and that we’d love to have him back. I think he’s a major piece of our offense. I think he fits really well in the direction that our offense is headed.
Market Context: Comparing Linderbaum’s Offer with League Benchmarks
The current highest-paid center in the NFL, Kansas City Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey, signed a four-year contract worth $72 million in 2024, averaging $18 million annually. While the Ravens are proposing a competitive deal to Linderbaum, DeCosta indicated the team is unlikely to apply franchise or transition tags, which come with a projected cost close to $28 million for offensive linemen in 2026.
Linderbaum’s Free Agency Outlook and Potential Market Interest
Last month, Linderbaum expressed a clear preference to remain with the Ravens, saying he would “absolutely” like to stay. However, with his status as one of the most sought-after free agents, multiple teams are expected to bid for his services once free agency opens. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah highlighted the competitive interest surrounding Linderbaum during his pre-Combine media call.
I love my job, but if I could switch jobs for just the next couple of months, I would want to be Tyler Linderbaum’s agent, because everybody that I’ve talked to seems to be in on Tyler Linderbaum,
Jeremiah said.
It sounds like he’s going to have a robust market, so congratulations to him and his family.
Implications for Ravens’ Offensive Line and Upcoming Free Agency
Team insiders Garrett Downing and Clifton Brown, in their analysis, have addressed the Linderbaum negotiations alongside other pending deals involving key players such as Lamar Jackson and Isaiah Likely. The Ravens faced a similar high-stakes decision last offseason with left tackle Ronnie Stanley, ultimately securing him with a three-year agreement just before free agency began.
As the NFL’s legal tampering period starts March 9 and the new league year follows on March 11, the Ravens’ window to finalize Linderbaum’s deal is narrow. Failure to reach an agreement could force Baltimore to adjust to having three new starters on their offensive line next season, marking a significant shift.
"We want to bring @TLinderbaum back." EDC pic.twitter.com/1sP3BYfmh5
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 24, 2026
