Ticking Clock: Will the Ravens Lock in Their Pro Bowl Center Before 2026 Free Agency Starts?
The 2026 NFL free agency period is quickly approaching, with teams and players able to agree to contract extensions beginning Wednesday, March 11th at 4:00 p.m. EST. The “legal tampering” period will open on March 9th at noon EST, allowing teams and agents to begin negotiations ahead of the official start. The Baltimore Ravens enter this window with a major priority, as general manager Eric DeCosta aims to finalize a long-term extension for three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum. The 25-year-old anchor of the offensive line completed his fourth NFL season in 2025, and if a deal is not reached before free agency opens, he would instantly become one of the most sought-after linemen on the market, something Baltimore is determined to prevent.
Since coming out of the University of Iowa, Linderbaum has developed into one of the league’s premier centers, silencing concerns about his size translating to the professional level. At the 2022 NFL Draft, he measured six-foot-two and 296 pounds with 31 1/8-inch arms, more than an inch shorter than the average center at the time. Despite those measurements, he has more than justified his first-round selection, becoming a stabilizing force on Baltimore’s offensive line and excelling at protecting franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. His consistent performance has earned him three Pro Bowl selections and a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team, though the Ravens declined his fifth-year option last offseason due to its nearly $23.4 million cost, which would have significantly limited the team’s financial flexibility.
While that decision drew little criticism given the financial implications, it now places Baltimore in a delicate position as free agency nears. Speaking at last week’s NFL Combine, DeCosta, known for being calculated and reserved in negotiations, acknowledged that talks with Linderbaum’s camp have slowed, increasing anxiety among Ravens fans. He noted that the organization has already presented a market-setting extension that would likely make Linderbaum the highest-paid center in the NFL, surpassing Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs, who currently earns around $18 million per season. With Linderbaum projected to command well north of $20 million annually, the spotlight now shifts to whether the Ravens can secure extensions for both him and Jackson as they continue pursuing Super Bowl contention in the seasons ahead.
