Ravens Face Uphill Battle to Keep Pro Bowl Center Linderbaum

NFL draft expert Daniel Jeremiah reports strong market for the in-demand free agent

Feb. 28, 2026 at 5:39pm

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Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum is set to be one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason, according to NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah. Jeremiah said Linderbaum has a "robust" market, with many teams interested in signing the three-time Pro Bowler. This is bad news for the Ravens, who may struggle to keep Linderbaum due to the high price tag he is likely to command on the open market.

Why it matters

Linderbaum is one of the best centers in the NFL, and his departure would be a major blow to the Ravens' offensive line. Retaining top offensive linemen is crucial, but the Ravens have many other needs to address and may not be able to justify the high cost of keeping Linderbaum, especially if he resets the market at the position.

The details

NFL draft expert Daniel Jeremiah reported that Linderbaum is expected to have a "robust" market in free agency, with many teams interested in signing the three-time Pro Bowl center. This means Linderbaum's price tag is likely to be very high, potentially pricing the Ravens out of keeping him. The Ravens could use the franchise tag to retain Linderbaum, but that would carry a $27.9 million price tag for 2026, a significant investment for the team.

  • Linderbaum is set to become a free agent in the 2026 offseason.

The players

Tyler Linderbaum

A three-time Pro Bowl center for the Baltimore Ravens who is set to become a highly sought-after free agent in the 2026 offseason.

Daniel Jeremiah

An NFL Network analyst and draft expert who reported that Linderbaum is expected to have a "robust" market in free agency, making it difficult for the Ravens to retain him.

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What they’re saying

“I mean look, there's a lot of jobs that are great. I love my job but if I could switch jobs for just the next couple months I'd want to be Tyler Linderbaum's agent because everybody that I talk to seems to be in on Tyler Linderbaum. So it sounds like he's going to have a robust market. Congratulations to him and his family.”

— Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network Analyst

What’s next

The Ravens will have to decide whether to use the franchise tag on Linderbaum or try to negotiate a long-term deal to keep him in Baltimore. However, the high demand for his services may make it difficult for the team to retain him.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges NFL teams face in keeping their top offensive linemen, especially when they hit the open market. The Ravens will have to weigh the high cost of retaining Linderbaum against their other roster needs, making it an uphill battle to keep the Pro Bowl center in Baltimore.