The Ravens have many roster decisions to make this offseason with pending free agents, and at the top of the list is Tyler Linderbaum.
The Pro Bowl center is staged to be one of the most highly sought-after free agents in the league if he hits the open market. The Ringer ranks Linderbaum at No. 4 on its list of top free agents.
On Monday, as he and other Ravens players cleaned out their lockers following another shocking end to the season, Linderbaum talked some about his future.
Asked whether he wants to be back in Baltimore, Linderbaum said, "Yeah, absolutely."
The Ravens didn't pick up Linderbaum's fifth-year option last offseason, which put him in a contract year. General Manager Eric DeCosta said at the time that the Ravens' intention was still to sign him long-term.
Linderbaum was asked about whether he wants to test free agency or could reach an extension beforehand. The Ravens reached deals with several other pending free agents before the season ended, including tight end Mark Andrews and defensive lineman Travis Jones.
"I'm not really worried about that right now. I'll talk to my agent and see what's the best fit," Linderbaum said.
"The biggest thing is what's best for me and the family. Obviously, get input from other people and then obviously your agent."
Linderbaum has been voted to the Pro Bowl each of the last three seasons. He's a big reason why the Ravens rushed for 156.6 yards per game, the second-best mark in the NFL, and had a league-high 5.3 yards per carry.
Right tackle Roger Rosengarten equated Linderbaum's situation to Ronnie Stanley's from last year. Stanley was a pending free agent who reached a three-year extension before he hit the open market.
Rosengarten said he'll be calling Linderbaum this offseason and doing everything he can to convince him to re-sign.
"That would sting [if he doesn't return]," Rosengarten said. "I think Tyler's the best in the league. … To see a guy like that would really hurt.
"This offensive line runs through him, and he's the tip of the spear."
