The Baltimore Ravens are laser-focused on making the playoffs in 2025. After starting the season with a record of 1-5, they have caught lightning in a bottle. After their Week 11 win over the Cleveland Browns, they have extended their winning streak to four games and sit at 5-5 heading into Week 12.
While they are on fire, there are still obvious issues with the team. Baltimore’s defense has undergone a complete 180-degree turnaround, but one area that remains among the worst in the NFL is the offensive line, specifically their play on the interior.
Left guard Andrew Vorhees has shown improvements in recent weeks, but remains inconsistent, and right guard Daniel Faalele has failed to live up to starter expectations at all in 2025. The only player holding the interior up is Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum.
However, the state of the Ravens’ offensive line is not only in question at this current moment, but even more so moving forward. The front office needs to improve at the guard position, but they also need to lock in Linderbaum to a new contract.
The latest market evaluation for the 25-year-old makes it clear that it will not be easy for Baltimore to retain Linderbaum. It will come at a heavy price tag.
Ravens must pay up to keep Tyler Linderbaum
According to Spotrac, Linderbaum’s market value for the 2026 offseason is calculated at $18 million per year. He is expected to set a new high for center contracts with a four-year deal worth just over $72 million.
General Manager Eric DeCosta has already made it clear that Linderbaum is a top priority. But, with the increasing troubles on the offensive line in addition to the expensive contract, DeCosta will have to sacrifice money in other areas to keep the offensive line somewhat competitive.
Linderbaum’s services are also essential to keeping franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson healthy. He has been banged up this year, and the poor blocking up front has a lot to do with that. Jackson is not set to hit free agency until 2028, but he undoubtedly deserves an extension and an increase in money. Without Linderbaum, those negotiations could take a hit.
Of course, a potential Jackson extension would likely free up money in 2026. It would spread his cap hit out, rather than his current cap hit of $74.5 million this coming offseason. That would increase the possibility of working out a Linderbaum deal. Still, with so many other players set to hit free agency next year, the need to get it done becomes more urgent.
Historically, centers have been viewed as one of the less valuable positions, but Linderbaum is different. He is more than deserving of resetting the center market, and if Baltimore fails to work out a contract, they will be in a deep sea of trouble.