Sports Illustrated Predicts Tyler Linderbaum's Future With Ravens
The future of center Tyler Linderbaum is one of the Ravens' biggest offseason storylines.
The Ravens declined the 2022 first-round pick's fifth-year option last April but made it clear that the goal is to sign him to a contract extension. That hasn't happened yet, and Linderbaum is sure to be highly sought-after if he hits free agency next month.
If the Ravens and Linderbaum don't reach an agreement on a new contract, the Ravens could use the franchise tag to keep the three-time Pro Bowler in Baltimore in 2026. Sports Illustrated’s Matt Vederame predicted that's what will happen.
"The Ravens declined Linderbaum's fifth-year option last offseason, largely because the rookie contracts don't distinguish between centers, [guards] and tackles," Verderame wrote. "So instead of taking the large financial hit, Baltimore made a bet it could retain Linderbaum without the future security.
"After another excellent year in which Linderbaum earned Pro Bowl honors, he's set to be the best offensive [lineman] to hit free agency. If Baltimore can't strike a deal before the franchise tag deadline on March 3, expect the Ravens to place the tag on their star center."
The problem with Verderame's reasoning is that the franchise tag for an offensive lineman is projected to be $27.9 million, per Over the Cap, which is more than the $23.4 million it would have cost the Ravens to pick up Linderbaum's fifth-year option.
The Kansas City Chiefs' Creed Humphrey, who signed a four-year deal worth $72 million ($18 million per year) in 2024, is the league’s highest-paid center. Linderbaum's next contract is expected to reset the market at the position.
The Ravens' offensive line was inconsistent last season, especially at the guard positions, so losing Linderbaum would add even more uncertainty to the unit.
What Would Ravens Have to Give Up to Land A.J. Brown if He's Traded?
Running back Derrick Henry created a buzz while making the media rounds the week of the Super Bowl when he openly recruited wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Ravens if the Philadelphia Eagles star is on the trade block this offseason.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton named the Ravens among five potential trade destinations for Brown and speculated on what a deal might look like.
Moton's trade proposal had the Ravens sending a 2026 second-round pick and wide receiver Rashod Bateman to the Eagles in exchange for Brown.
"Brown would reunite with his former Tennessee Titans teammate, Derrick Henry, and add to the team's physical identity," Moton wrote. "The 6'1", 226-pound outside receiver can be a complement to Zay Flowers, who's a shifty 5'9" wideout who lines up on the boundary and in the slot.
"Lamar Jackson could post career numbers with Brown and Flowers as his top two targets."
Trade Proposal Has Ravens Acquiring Giants Edge Rusher
Speaking of trade proposals, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell laid out a potential deal that would allow the Ravens to address their need for an edge rusher.
In Barnwell's scenario, the Ravens would acquire former first-rounder Kayvon Thibodeaux in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick.
"[Head Coach] Jesse Minter, who turned around Odafe Oweh [with the Los Angeles Chargers], might fancy his chances of getting more out of Thibodeaux, who came into the league with a top-five-pick toolbox and racked up 11.5 sacks in his second year with the Giants," Barnwell wrote. "The Ravens would be taking a targeted swing on a talented player in a contract year who just turned 25 in December. And though re-signing Tyler Linderbaum would leave the Ravens in a tight cap situation, either restructuring or redoing Lamar Jackson's contract will free up a massive amount of space.
Thibodeaux, the fifth-overall selection in 2022, is slated to earn $14.8 million with the Giants in 2026, per Spotrac. He was limited to 10 games this past season because of a shoulder injury and finished with a career-low 2.5 sacks.
Zach Orr Sends Love to Baltimore After Reportedly Joining Mike Macdonald's Staff
Former Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr posted a heartfelt message on social media about his time in Baltimore after it was reported that he was joining Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald's staff as inside linebackers coach.
Orr and Macdonald have plenty of history together. Orr was the inside linebackers coach with the Ravens during Macdonald's two seasons as defensive coordinator (2022-2023), and he took over as defensive coordinator in 2024 after Macdonald left for Seattle.
Orr played inside linebacker for the Ravens from 2014-2016, when Macdonald was a defensive assistant. He transitioned into coaching in 2017 as a defensive analyst for the Ravens while Macdonald served as defensive backs and linebackers coach.
Another former Ravens assistant coach is apparently headed to Seattle, as Director of Football Strategy/Assistant Quarterbacks Coach Daniel Stern is reportedly joining Macdonald's staff in a to-be-determined role – possibly as Seattle's pass-game strategist.
Quick Hits
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- The Ravens' 41-40 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 was ranked No. 4 in NFL.com’s top 10 games of the 2025 season.
