The Baltimore Ravens have handed out contracts to the likes of Derrick Henry and Rashod Bateman this offseason. They also still need to finalize an extension with quarterback Lamar Jackson. With training camp underway and everyone in the building, now is a great time to extend some of their key contributors.
Players such as Isaiah Likely, Tyler Linderbaum, and Kyle Hamilton are all eligible for contracts. The three have been vastly productive since being drafted by Baltimore and are among the best at their positions. For general manager Eric DeCosta, giving them new deals seems to be a top priority.
Ravens Looking To Extend Core Players
Hamilton and Linderbaum have been starters pretty much since the day they were drafted and have made impacts since their rookie seasons. Although Likely has sat behind starting tight end Mark Andrews, when he has seen the field, he has shown his potential as a starter. It's been reported throughout the offseason that the Ravens want deals done with the trio of players, and ESPN's Dan Graziano provided an update on their situations.
Graziano visited the Ravens training camp facility in Owings Mills, Maryland, on August 2nd and came away with some takeaways. When it comes to Hamilton, Linderbaum, and Likely, he doesn't see any deals close currently, but they should close in on extensions soon. Graziano said:
"The Ravens are working on a few contract extensions they hope to get done by the end of this season, including Hamilton, tight end Isaiah Likely and center Tyler Linderbaum. It doesn't sound like anything is imminent with any of those, but don't be surprised if you hear news on one or more of them over the next few months."
Hamilton is a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time First Team All-Pro since being drafted by the Ravens in 2022. Linderbaum has made two Pro Bowls since landing in Baltimore in 2021. Likely has 14 touchdowns and 1,261 receiving yards in three seasons with the Ravens. Hamilton and Linderbaum have been impact starters, and Likely looks to be an impact starter in the waiting, and NFL personnel agree with that.
Hamilton's fifth-year option was picked up, while Linderbaum's was declined. The star center and Likely will be free agents after the 2025 season. However, DeCosta appears to be finalizing the contract extension with Jackson before Hamilton, Linderbaum, and Likely. The question then is, can DeCosta get a deal done with those three during training camp? He has five weeks before the start of the regular season.