It’s the hottest question in Baltimore: how much is Tyler Linderbaum worth? He is set to hit free agency in March, but general manager Eric DeCosta said on The Inside Circle podcast this week that he was still hopeful the Ravens could retain their Pro Bowl center. But other teams are already lining up to bid on Linderbaum in free agency, and his agent knows it. So what is the most that the Ravens should offer to keep him in Baltimore?
For context, the current top of the center market is Creed Humphrey’s
$18 million per year deal. Linderbaum should clear that handily on his next contract. He is an elite run blocker who is especially effective in outside zone schemes – like the one the Ravens will be running under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. But his pass blocking is the key point of contention in his valuation. Here’s a quick look at Linderbaum’s pass blocking stats in the last two years:
Despite the massive surge in football analytics in recent years, offensive line metrics remain imperfect, so the above numbers do not fully encapsulate Linderbaum’s performance. He no doubt regressed in 2025, though liabilities at both guard spots next to him certainly made his life harder. Then there’s his fit in Doyle’s system, working relationship with Lamar Jackson, and leadership in the middle of the offense.
Put that all together, and Linderbaum has a clear case to be the highest-paid center in the league. The Ravens have not shied away from resetting the positional market for their top talent in the past. But how much above $18 million per year should they go?
Nikhil’s take: This is a tough one. With or without a Lamar Jackson extension, the Ravens cannot afford to write a blank check for Linderbaum. At the same time, they cannot afford to lose him and weaken their offensive line as a result. I would go up to $20 million per year, resetting the center market by $2 million and making Linderbaum the sixth-highest-paid interior offensive lineman in the league.
Linderbaum’s agent will be arguing for much more than that. Humphrey’s $18 million per year accounted for 7.0% of the 2024 salary cap. Adjusted to 2026, that figure would be $21.7 million per year, which would also place Linderbaum fourth among all iOL. Other teams may be planning to be that aggressive in March, in which case it will be exceedingly difficult for the Ravens to get a deal done before free agency.
If you were the Ravens, how much would you pay Linderbaum? Never mind the details (guarantees, signing bonus, etc), just give us the highest annual salary you would offer Linderbaum before free agency. Join the discussion in the comments section below and be sure to check back throughout the day to continue the conversation!
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
