It’s not necessarily time for panic for the Baltimore Ravens right now, but it’s getting close to that after watching center Tyler Linderbaum leave for the Las Vegas Raiders. The interior offensive line was already an issue, and now, they’ve lost their only stable piece.
The Ravens did address the middle of the line, agreeing to terms on a three-year, $30 million contract with guard John Simpson. That’s the type of deal that quarterback Lamar Jackson wanted to see, as Baltimore finally made a long-term commitment at their troubling guard spot. Unfortunately, just as they took a step forward with that move, Linderbaum’s departure takes them two steps back.
The center market isn’t all that talented this year. Most of the top names have already been picked out, but the Green Bay Packers did make Elgton Jenkins available. They released the two-time Pro Bowler on Monday. The Ravens should certainly be watching.
Baltimore Ravens could replace Tyler Linderbaum with Elgton Jenkins
You’re not going to replace Linderbaum. At 25 years old, he’s already been to three-straight Pro Bowls, and was the perfect player to surround Lamar Jackson with. However, it’s also fair to say that the Raiders heavily overpaid for him, and the Ravens could use that extra cap space to try and fill the void with a player like Jenkins, while also filling other needs.
Jenkins is no slouch. He’s also a multi-time Pro Bowler, and while his best years may be behind him, he’s still a reliable blocker, especially in pass protection. In 2024, he turned in the best pass-blocking grade among centers, per Pro Football Focus, with an 83.1. In nine games in 2025, he posted another strong grade in that department with a 72.5 (seventh in the NFL). That’s exactly where Baltimore needs the most help, and Jenkins could be an excellent protector for Jackson.
The 30-year-old also brings a ton of versatility. He can play all five spots on the offensive line, which could prove valuable with the threat of injuries and some uncertainty at other spots on the line.
Jenkins is clearly the top center available now after his release. According to Spotrac, he’s expected to land on his feet comfortably with a four-year, $60 million deal, earning a salary of around $15.2 million. He is coming off a fractured fibula in 2025, though, which may drive down his price a little bit.
Regardless of what Jenkins’ next contract comes out to be, Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta needs to be assertive in pursuit of him. This team is in win-now mode and is being as aggressive as ever. If they truly want to win the Super Bowl in the Lamar Jackson era, they need to carry that mentality by going after Jenkins.