The Baltimore Ravens' roster has long been defined by stability in the trenches. But as the 2026 NFL franchise tag window opens next week, GM Eric DeCosta faces a math problem that could threaten the very foundation of Lamar Jackson’s offense.
The central figure in the high-stakes calculation? Three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum.
Linderbaum might be the best player set to hit free agency this offseason. As a result, he's going to demand a high price.
How will the Ravens approach the Tyler Linderbaum situation this offseason
The Essential Anchor
Since the Ravens declined his fifth-year option -- not because of play, but because of financial commitment -- Linderbaum has played like a man possessed, cementing himself as the undisputed heart of an offensive line that has struggled with inconsistency at both guard spots.
He isn't just a blocker; he’s the brain, the heart of the operation, responsible for the pre-snap assignments that keep Jackson upright. In 2025, the Iowa product allowed just two sacks in 501 pass pro snaps.
However, the bill for that excellence has arrived as the projected 2026 O-Line franchise tag is a massive $27.9M.
The Case for the Tag
For a center, $28M is an astronomical one-year figure -- nearly double the average annual value of the league's highest-paid pivots. For context, his declined fifth-year option, simply because of financials, would of cost Baltimore $23.4M. However, the Ravens are currently in a state of transition with the hiring of new head coach Jesse Minter, and with guards like Daniel Faalele potentially on the way out and uncertainty across the rest of the unit, losing Linderbaum could be catastrophic.
As you peel the layers back, applying the tag isn't about the $28 million cap hit; it’s about leverage. It prevents Linderbaum from hitting an open market where teams with massive cap space would happily make him the highest-paid center in history. Scary scenarios like Linderbaum signing with rival Cleveland Browns would be prevented with a tag.
For DeCosta, the tag is a placeholder -- a way to force a seat at the table to negotiate a long-term extension that spreads the cap hit over five years.
The "Tag and Trade" (or Walk) Reality
If Linderbaum’s camp insists on a contract that exceeds the market's current ceiling, the Ravens could explore a blockbuster Tag and Trade where a center-needy team would likely offer high capital for a 25-year-old perennial Pro Bowler.
But in Baltimore, trading the man who snaps the ball to your $260M quarterback feels like a non-starter. The Ravens have roughly $21M in effective cap space currently, and using the tag would require immediate corresponding moves, such as possibly trading Marlon Humphrey or restructuring Roquan Smith’s deal.
The Verdict
The Ravens prioritize the spine of their team. While $28M is a staggering number for a center, the cost of a collapsed pocket, and future as a franchise, is even higher. Expect Baltimore to use the tag if a deal isn't reached by the March 3rd deadline, ensuring that as long as Jackson is under center, Linderbaum is right there with him.