Mink: We've had contract extensions in back-to-back weeks – first Mark Andrews and then Travis Jones. Can the Ravens and General Manager Eric DeCosta go 3-for-3?
I think it's possible it gets done before the season ends, and my hunch is that it at least happens before Linderbaum would hit the open market in March.
We all know that Linderbaum is a great player. He's a two-time Pro Bowler and could be again after this season. Among full-time starting centers this year, Linderbaum has the NFL's fifth-best offensive grade from Pro Football Focus.
The Ravens would be well-served keeping the anchor of their offensive line, just as they retained left tackle Ronnie Stanley last offseason. The Ravens' guard play this season has been inconsistent and removing Linderbaum from the equation would threaten to weaken the interior blocking.
Linderbaum is also the type of guy that the Ravens have shown they want to lock up long-term. He's a hard worker, somebody who never misses a practice or game, and is highly respected among his teammates. He's a Raven.
The flip side is you can't pay everyone. Philadelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens signed a four-year extension this offseason worth $68 million, for a $17 million/year average with $23 million guaranteed. Can the Ravens afford a similar contract for Linderbaum after inking other guys and with more pending free agents to pay?
Also, the Ravens have a talented (and cheaper) center on the roster in Corey Bullock. They could opt to give Bullock a crack at the starting job if they had to cut corners somewhere.
The Ravens declined Linderbaum's fifth-year option in April for financial reasons, because he would've had a massive $23.4 million salary cap number in 2026. At the time, DeCosta said, "it is our intention for [Linderbaum] to remain a Baltimore Raven long term." I believe that will ultimately happen.
Brown: Unfortunately, Head Coach John Harbaugh announced Monday that Buchanan suffered a season-ending knee injury, a tough blow for the rookie starter.
"Teddye did a great job. Just to see his progress and see him grow as a player – on defense and special teams – has just been really fun," Harbaugh said. "He's going to be back next year. He should be back, hopefully, for training camp ready to go and ready to kind of build on what he's done."
Trenton Simpson will be asked to step in down the stretch in Buchanan's absence, and he's been playing well of late. Simpson saw action in 46% of the defensive snaps against the Bengals and has shown he can be effective playing both outside and inside.
"I think he's done really well," Harbaugh said. "He played good against the run and played good against the pass in the reps he's had."
Mink: The Ravens would relish a winner-take-all Week 18 game in Pittsburgh for the division crown. It’s about earning that opportunity by taking care of business versus the Patriots and Packers the next two weeks.
The Ravens did not play their best game versus the Steelers in their 27-22 loss at M&T Bank Stadium earlier this month. Despite outgaining the Steelers by more than 100 yards, the Ravens had one turnover to Pittsburgh's zero, and the Steelers benefited from several critical referee decisions.
My guess is the Ravens would bring a mentality like the one they had in Cincinnati on Sunday, when they were hungry to avenge their ugly five-turnover Thanksgiving loss to the Bengals at home.
Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers have looked good in back-to-back wins. However, Baltimore feels it should have beaten the Steelers the first time, and the Ravens would love a chance to prove it inside Acrisure Stadium with the AFC North title on the line.
Brown: Jay Higgins IV, who made the initial 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent, returned to practice on Wednesday after suffering a knee injury in Week 10 against the Vikings. If Higgins is ready to return from injured reserve soon, he'll ease the need for Baltimore to sign an inside linebacker.
One free agent linebacker who might fit the Ravens is Ja'Whaun Bentley, who was released from the Steelers' practice squad in October. The 29-year-old Bentley was a starter for five seasons with the New England Patriots and has been a strong run defender. Bentley is also a Maryland native (Glenarden) who played high school football at DeMatha.
As for safeties, former Vikings first-round pick (2022) Lewis Cine is available, and he's someone Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken is familiar with from their days together at Georgia.
With the return of Ar'Darius Washington, the Ravens may feel they have ample depth at safety and could look to address another position to fill out the practice squad.
