The Baltimore Ravens are reportedly growing uneasy in contract negotiations over their top free agent.
The 2026 NFL free agency window is set to open, and the Baltimore Ravens have a ton they need to address.
After a season marred by injuries and inconsistency, the Ravens are aiming for a significant rebound. While improvement through the draft and free agency is a priority, retaining key contributors already on the roster is just as important.
At the top of that list is standout center Tyler Linderbaum. Widely regarded as one of the league’s best at his position, Linderbaum is set to hit free agency and is expected to draw strong interest across the market.
The young center just completed his fourth season and has established himself as one of the best at his position.
He will be a highly sought-after commodity, though Baltimore remains the favorite to bring him back. Still, reports indicate the organization has grown uneasy about the direction of contract negotiations, creating at least some uncertainty surrounding his future.
Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic mentioned how there is some friction between the two sides.
"The Ravens aren’t thrilled with where contract negotiations stand with center Tyler Linderbaum. When general manager Eric DeCosta revealed that the team had made a 'market-setting' offer to retain the three-time Pro Bowl center, it was a significant departure from how the normally tight-lipped organization does business. It suggests that a deal wasn’t close at the time of DeCosta’s comments and the Ravens are trying to get Linderbaum’s side to engage. Talk in Indianapolis was that teams are lining up to take a run at Linderbaum and he’s primed to make over $20 million per year. The Ravens are running out of time to keep him off the open market."
Last week, general manager Eric DeCosta noted how the team is willing to do whatever it takes to retain Linderbaum.
"We've been having conversations, we've had conversations since the end of the season," DeCosta said. "At this point in time, we've made him a market-setting deal proposal offer. Hopefully, we can get something done with him between now and the start of the new league year."
The Ravens drafted the former Iowa Hawkeye with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has been named a Pro Bowler three times in his career and has established himself as a pillar for the team.
His dominant play has done wonders for the Ravens. Linderbaum is among the best run-blocking centers in the league. He has an 83.1 PFF run-blocking grade, ranked fourth at the position.
With less than a week left until the league year begins, time will tell if the Ravens can bring back Linderbaum.