Mink: These kinds of negotiations can take time. Tyler Linderbaum is going to be one of the top free agents available this cycle, so there could be a desire to hit the open market and see what offers are out there.
At the end of the day, Linderbaum wants to be a Raven and the Ravens want him. General Manager Eric DeCosta made that very clear by revealing that the Ravens have made him a market-setting contract offer, insight into negotiations that DeCosta rarely shares.
The Ravens believe Linderbaum is the best center in the NFL, and that's a critical position, especially with Baltimore wanting to build up its offensive line, not take a step back. The question seems to be whether another team will blow Baltimore's aggressive offer out of the water.
Baltimore and DeCosta have a strong track record of retaining young stars such as Linderbaum, who embodies everything the Ravens want. The Ravens got a deal done with Ronnie Stanley, who was in a somewhat similar situation last year, before he hit the open market. But sometimes players get away, such as linebacker C.J. Mosley did before the 2019 season, when the New York Jets went above and beyond to pry him out of Baltimore.
Mink: If Linderbaum doesn't re-sign, the Ravens could spend on a veteran free agent. Some of the top free agents are the Bills' Connor McGovern, Browns' Ethan Pocic, and Dolphins' James Daniels. Baltimore could also try to draft a plug-and-play starter, just as it did with Linderbaum in 2022.
However, I think it's more likely that Baltimore would look within. The Ravens were impressed with Corey Bullock last season. They kept him on the 53-man roster as the backup center and he suited up for 16 games, though he played just 13 snaps.
A former Terp and Maryland native, Bullock is a smart player and hard worker who earned his teammates' trust. If Linderbaum doesn't return, the Ravens could have a young (24) and much cheaper alternative already on the roster. It would be a big challenge for Bullock to step into a full-time starting role replacing a three-time Pro Bowler, but one he would relish.
Brown: As of Wednesday, there's no update on Madubuike's status.
DeCosta was asked about Madubuike on Tuesday and did not reveal more information. Head Coach Jesse Minter said Madubuike was at the team facility recently but did not provide more specifics.
"That will be up to him when the time is right," Minter said. "He's in great spirits."
It sounds like the Ravens will let Madubuike determine when he's ready to talk publicly about his situation after suffering a season-ending neck injury in Week 2 last season. But whether Madubuike returns or not, the Ravens will be looking to beef up the defensive line, and could very well draft someone who they're scouting at the Combine.
Brown: As one of the Ravens’ many pending free agents, Stout picked the perfect time to enjoy his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro season in 2025.
Stout realistically could become the NFL's highest-paid punter at 27 years old with a bright future ahead. He may test the market, but after the 2025 season ended, Stout expressed his desire to remain in Baltimore, saying, "I don't want to be anywhere else."
In addition to having a strong leg, Stout has also become proficient at directional kicks and has developed a "boomerang" punt whose rotation makes it difficult to catch. He led the league in net punting average, and he finished fourth in gross punting average.
The Ravens drafted Stout in the fourth round in 2022 because they believed in his ability. He works diligently at his craft and is always looking for new punts to add to his arsenal. He has also served as Baltimore's holder on field goal attempts.
Baltimore has enjoyed some long relationships with former specialists like Sam Koch, Justin Tucker, and Morgan Cox. I'm confident the Ravens would like to re-sign Stout if the price is right. The Ravens have other pending free agents like Linderbaum and tight end Isaiah Likely, who are high priorities. Stout could land elsewhere, but my gut feeling is that the Ravens will find a way to keep him. It's definitely a situation to monitor.
