News today has broken that the Colts have no intention of allowing Alec Pierce to hit FA and the Falcons are tagging Kyle Pitts and this rings a bell that teams do not allow young good players to actually hit FA. These players are good but neither are established as top 5 of their position . Pierce was 19th at WR on PFF and Pitts 12th.
This brings me to Tyler Linderbaum. Linderbaum is a unique and rare opportunity to land a top 5 player at their position while they are still in prime of their career. He is 25 years ago and younger than our current “young” center JMS. Linderbaum was #2 on PFF in 24 and 4th in 2025
Linderbaum is coming free due to a loop hole in the rules for OCs because they are treated as OL and included with OGs and OTs which make way more money
One reason top young players dont hit the market so young is the 5th year option on 1st round draft picks
The 5th year option on Linderbaum was declined because he would have cost 23.6 million per year which is 5.6 million more than the current top paid OC at 18 million.
The Ravens will not tag Linderbaum because that will cost them 27.8 million or nearly 10 million more than top paid OC
If OC was treated separately like say TE is from WR, then a 5th year option or Franchise tag would have been 14 or 16 million and there would be absolutely ZERO chance that the Ravens wouldn’t have taken these options on Linderbaum. ZERO
This is a rare unique situation in FA due to this loophole and the Giants are in a unique situation to capitalize on this for the fact that the Ravens fired John Harbaugh and switched OL blocking schemes.
Linderbaum had openly stated his desire to resign up until the Ravens parted with Harbaugh, Monken & Warhop.
Had the Ravens not fired them then I believe he would have quickly resigned with them and the Giants would have had ZERO chance of ever landing him
Given this absolutely unique and rare combo of the loophole with the Ravens firing Harbaugh and him coming to the Giants has given us a very unusual rare opportunity to land a top 5 player at their position in the prime of their career.
Its no slam dunk, he likely costs 18-20 million, the Chargers, Browns & Ravens and others will be in on him but this is precisely why we should not hesitate to try and land Linderbaum.
If you think OC isnt an “important” position than here is a list of Centers we have had since Shaun O’ Hara
David Baas
Jon Feliciano
Billy Price
Nick Gates
John “Dont Sleep on Pio” Halipio
Spencer Pulley
JMS
We have tried the draft, bargain FAs, position changers etc
How many other upcoming FAs are considered consensus top 5 at their position?
I'm firmly in the Linderbaum camp. The other thing that no one seems to bring up is that JMS is in the last year of his deal. Well, one person brought it up but for a different reason. He is on the last year of his deal so you have to either let him go, sign him to an extension, or trade him. If we don't get another legit C then we may have to overpay for him. We know contracts go up and up every year so getting Linderbaum this year on a long term contract will be better value than JMS on a long term deal next year. It is actually cost effect to me. And if JMS comes much cheaper, that means he is way below the player that Linderbaum is, hence shitty value. It's the smart move as long as the price tag doesn't become ludicrous and that is a decent chance of happening. But one way or another, the position needs to be upgraded. Can we get by this year with JMS? Probably but we'd have to surround him with much better guards. Any C will be better with better surrounding talent. I get that. Some say that is why Linderbaum had a down year in pass protection. But Linderbaum is a better player and helps those around him. I can't say the same for JMS.
There are already 7 guard in the NFL on $20m+ APY
I don't see the issue, particularly if you back load the contract when the salary cap will continue to increase.
How do you justify a large contract for someone who's limited in half the game?
(Full disclosure: I barely have seen him play, but this is what the films guys I listen to say...)
If Harbaugh goes there, I will not complain, but feel that is too much money for a center.
Who may be on the team in 2 years? Thomas and Mbow and maybe one or two of the younger guys ? It’s been a won since they had a solid OL w any depth. It’s a mess
Who may be on the team in 2 years? Thomas and Mbow and maybe one or two of the younger guys ? It’s been a won since they had a solid OL w any depth. It’s a mess
I think Bricillo proved that a good OL coach can put together an effective line with marginal pieces. Not saying it is a good idea to carry "functional" players, but it can be done.
Linderbaum is a monster run blocker and has some trouble in pass pro, but this past year the Ravens also had bad Guard play in comparison to their more recent years. Eluemunor is a solid pass pro T and has provided below average run blocking. Not quite the fit Harbaugh has typically gone for. We'll see in a few weeks!
That the alternative is JMS who ranked even worse in pass blocking ! (28th overall)
If Harbaugh goes there, I will not complain, but feel that is too much money for a center.
This is all based on the current theory of “positional value”
This theory leads one to consider giving 18-20 mil to Wan Dale, whom people say “we had no WRs” last year and we need to draft a WR at 5 to complement Nabers even if we sign Robinson
This theory led the Giants to sign Darius Slayton to the same contract they wouldn’t give Saquon Barkley who won a SB on that deal for Philly.
You can pay the 23rd best WR 20 million (and will be more after this FA) or you can pay a top 5 OC 20 mil
Id choose to pay the 20 million to a guy who gives me a competitive advantage on the football field
C is critically important, moreso than any other position on the line other than LT.
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I am not paying a center $18/$20 mill per.
If Harbaugh goes there, I will not complain, but feel that is too much money for a center.
This is all based on the current theory of “positional value”
This theory leads one to consider giving 18-20 mil to Wan Dale, whom people say “we had no WRs” last year and we need to draft a WR at 5 to complement Nabers even if we sign Robinson
This theory led the Giants to sign Darius Slayton to the same contract they wouldn’t give Saquon Barkley who won a SB on that deal for Philly.
You can pay the 23rd best WR 20 million (and will be more after this FA) or you can pay a top 5 OC 20 mil
Id choose to pay the 20 million to a guy who gives me a competitive advantage on the football field
It is based on I am not paying a center $18 to $20 mill per, when there are holes either side of C. I'd rather get two good guards at half the price (or two for the same price or less) and stay with JMS then all that money on Linderbaum.
FWIW, I am not paying Wan'Dale that money either and I value him higher than 80% of BBI.
Also, nobody on BBI wanted to pay Barkley and FYI, Schoen basically offered Barkley the same deal a year and a half before he left(maybe a little less).
Relying 100% on guys like Harbaugh/Nagy/Roman to determine if Linderbaum is someone they want badly enough.
In my mind I assume Harbaugh is a HUGE fan and believes Linderbaum is the cleanest/fastest way to instill his offensive mindset & physicality.
I here people throwing stats and PFF grades around as a negative on Linderbaum but I watched 7 full games of him down stretch last year (looked dominant to me), I also see multiple experts rating him #1 FA and fact he's already had 3 straight pro bowl selections. Think it was Jeremiah who said if I could be anyone it would be T Linderbaum because everyone is going to be after him.
Steep price but if Harbaugh is all in this kid is night/day better than JMS (and he's younger).
Tyler Linderbaum's PFF pass-blocking grades have generally improved or stayed solid since his 2022 debut, with notable growth in his second season. He has maintained grades above 60.0 in three consecutive seasons (up to 2025), showcasing steady performance as a top-tier center.
Here are Linderbaum's approximate yearly PFF pass-blocking grades:
2025 (Year 4): 63.4
2024 (Year 3): 76.1 (Note: Some reports indicate high performance, but the 76.1 figure is specifically highlighted for his Year 2-3 jump)
2023 (Year 2): 76.1 (jumped from 54.7 in 2022)
2022 (Rookie): 53.5 - 54.7
Key Notes:
Consistency: He improved his pass-blocking grade significantly in his second year and has maintained a 60+ grade for three straight seasons.
Overall Value: While pass blocking had room for growth early, he is consistently one of the league's top-graded centers overall, with run-blocking grades frequently over 80.0.
And his run blocking:
Tyler Linderbaum PFF Run-Blocking Grades
2025 (Year 4): 83.7 (Ranked 4th among centers)
2024: No data in provided search results
2023: 82.5 (Ranked 4th among centers)
2022 (Rookie): Consistent with high-level performance mentioned over "three of four" seasons, with a "91.2 career PFF run-blocking grade" noted in some contexts as a cumulative or high-mark average.
Overall Grade/Rank
PFF Seasonal Rankings and Grades
Based on his four-year career with the Baltimore Ravens, Linderbaum has established himself as an elite run-blocking specialist while continuing to develop in pass protection.
(Sorry about the table)
2025 80.3 4th / 5th* 83.7 4th
2024 79.9 4th 85.3 4th
2023 78.1 Top 10 78.3** Top 10
2022 (Rookie)
Career Performance Summary
Run-Blocking Dominance:
Linderbaum is currently the 4th-highest graded center in the league (87.0 cumulative) since his debut in 2022. His career run-blocking grade of 91.2 ranks 3rd among all centers in that span.
Consistency: He has raised his PFF overall grade in every single season of his career, moving from a 74.7 as a rookie to an elite 80.3 in 2025.
Pass Protection: While he ranks as a top-15 pass blocker for his career (66.3 grade), it remains his primary area for improvement; he allowed a career-high 26 pressures in 2025.
Accolades: His high PFF rankings are reflected in his three consecutive Pro Bowl selections (2023, 2024, and 2025.
This sounds like a guy I'd love on the Giant. Not all will agree. That's fine, but I just wanted to give the whole picture so we get more than just 1 isolated stat.
Also, nobody on BBI wanted to pay Barkley and FYI, Schoen basically offered Barkley the same deal a year and a half before he left(maybe a little less).
Schoen’s mistake was not figuring out Barkley’s contract before he worried about Daniel Jones. It was a bad process with a bad result, which is why he is lucky he is still here.
If you don’t buy the theory that John Mara told Schoen to keep Jones, then you have to conclude Schoen valued Jones ahead of Barkley which - say what you want about Barkley - is an absolutely atrocious evaluation.
Thankfully we are past that point now and have real football people making decisions.
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Also, nobody on BBI wanted to pay Barkley and FYI, Schoen basically offered Barkley the same deal a year and a half before he left(maybe a little less).
Schoen’s mistake was not figuring out Barkley’s contract before he worried about Daniel Jones. It was a bad process with a bad result, which is why he is lucky he is still here.
If you don’t buy the theory that John Mara told Schoen to keep Jones, then you have to conclude Schoen valued Jones ahead of Barkley which - say what you want about Barkley - is an absolutely atrocious evaluation.
Thankfully we are past that point now and have real football people making decisions.
So you are ignoring that Schoen offered Barkley(and Love) extensions mid 2022? Love was offered more than he got from Seattle and IIRC, Barkley was a touch less than what he eventually signed in Philly for(but a full 1 1/2 years earlier).
And the vast majority of BBI stood with Schoen on holding fast on the offer to Barkley.
That the alternative is JMS who ranked even worse in pass blocking ! (28th overall)
this is the fan base in a nutshell. complain the team stinks while saying mediocre to bad players are good and should kept/re-signed.
...
You make it sound like getting 'two good guards' (aka significantly better than present) for the same price or less is as easy as waving a wand. I won't even challenge you to identify two among a putative pool of FA Gs, but you're throwing out vague wish lists vs a concrete option to make the OL better.
My guess is that his price will be too high, and the Giants will look to use their FA money elsewhere, but let's see what happens.
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...It is based on I am not paying a center $18 to $20 mill per, when there are holes either side of C. I'd rather get two good guards at half the price (or two for the same price or less) and stay with JMS then all that money on Linderbaum.
...
You make it sound like getting 'two good guards' (aka significantly better than present) for the same price or less is as easy as waving a wand. I won't even challenge you to identify two among a putative pool of FA Gs, but you're throwing out vague wish lists vs a concrete option to make the OL better.
I am shocked at this response. Shocked. How dare someone challenge over paying for a center!
There was a list of guards expected to be FAs with their expected values posted in the last day or two.
Yes, I also expected the "you cannot waive a wand" statement and you are correct. People decide to sign elsewhere - why it is called free agency.
No matter whether JH wants to sign Linderbaum or not, they will still need to get two guards, or am I missing something? Maybe they keep Runyan and need just one guard.
But it appears it is a moot point as the Ravens offered Linderbaum a big contract.
Challenge accepted
My plan
1- Cut Okereke, Runyan, JMS, Hyatt, Singletary, Gano & Gillian
2- trade Thibodeaux (possibly to Titans?) for a 3rd
3- restructure Burns & Thomas but not Lawrence
This creates over 73 mil of cap space according to Google AI for Harbaugh to reshape the roster in his
image
4- Do not resign Wan Dale, Flott or Eluemenor
5- sign Tyler Linderbaum (5 years 20 mil per) , Wyatt Teller OG 3 yrs 31 mil, Patrick Ricard 2 yrs 6 mil, Keenan Allen 1 yr 7 mil, Calais Campbell 1 yr 6 mil, Darrell Baker 2 yrs 8 million DB, Rasul Douglas DB 1 yr 4 mil , Jordan Stout P 3 yrs 12 million and Devin Bush 3 yrs 30 mil
6- draft Caleb Downs (my priority is Bain 1, Downs 2 abd Styles 3 for our pick) and Emmanuel Pregnon OG (Bisonti as a second choice) in rd 2 . I would also target a WR, OT, DL and CB in our other picks.
This is not every answer in 1 offseason but it completely rebuilds the Interior OL and gives Harbaugh his pre-snap playcallers on O & D ( Linderbaum & Downs) it gets rid of our low performance players and offers clean break from Daboll era and bring in some proven veterans at vulnerable positions on low term/cost deals . It establishes some new core guys like Linderbaum, Downs and Bush.
There will be still some holes to fill at key spots but positions the team to be competitive this year while continuing to build long term and replace guys like Campbell/Allen in 27 offseason
Pointing out that Philadelphia paid Barkley roughly the same annual value Schoen once floated misses the key context. The Eagles were bidding on an older Barkley coming off a less productive season. Paying the same money for a depreciated asset is, by definition, offering more value. That should tell you the original deal was viable.
More importantly, Barkley’s decision path proves the point. By taking the franchise tag and then signing in Philadelphia, he earned more cash across 2024 and 2025 than the entire three-year offer the Giants reportedly had on the table. The market didn’t just validate Barkley, it showed the Giants misjudged both timing and leverage.
The Julian Love situation follows the same pattern. When a player says he wants to test the market and that market ultimately settles below your prior offer, that is a win condition for the team. You match or slightly adjust and keep a productive starter. Instead, Schoen drew a hard line and walked away, even though reporting indicated Love would have accepted a match of Seattle’s deal. That is not disciplined negotiation, it is inflexibility overriding market feedback.
Taken together, Barkley and Love suggest a GM who got anchored to his initial valuations and refused to recalibrate when new information arrived. The irony is that this rigidity vanished in the Daniel Jones negotiation, where Schoen conceded leverage and overpaid relative to market expectations. Jones’s own representation later implied the Giants did poorly in that process.
So the issue isn’t simply “he was tough on Barkley and Love.” It’s inconsistency. He was overly rigid with two players whose markets he misread, then overly pliable with a quarterback whose leverage he overstated. That pattern points less to a coherent roster-building philosophy and more to uneven negotiation instincts at critical decision points.
Pointing out that Philadelphia paid Barkley roughly the same annual value Schoen once floated misses the key context. The Eagles were bidding on an older Barkley coming off a less productive season. Paying the same money for a depreciated asset is, by definition, offering more value. That should tell you the original deal was viable.
More importantly, Barkley’s decision path proves the point. By taking the franchise tag and then signing in Philadelphia, he earned more cash across 2024 and 2025 than the entire three-year offer the Giants reportedly had on the table. The market didn’t just validate Barkley, it showed the Giants misjudged both timing and leverage.
The Julian Love situation follows the same pattern. When a player says he wants to test the market and that market ultimately settles below your prior offer, that is a win condition for the team. You match or slightly adjust and keep a productive starter. Instead, Schoen drew a hard line and walked away, even though reporting indicated Love would have accepted a match of Seattle’s deal. That is not disciplined negotiation, it is inflexibility overriding market feedback.
Taken together, Barkley and Love suggest a GM who got anchored to his initial valuations and refused to recalibrate when new information arrived. The irony is that this rigidity vanished in the Daniel Jones negotiation, where Schoen conceded leverage and overpaid relative to market expectations. Jones’s own representation later implied the Giants did poorly in that process.
So the issue isn’t simply “he was tough on Barkley and Love.” It’s inconsistency. He was overly rigid with two players whose markets he misread, then overly pliable with a quarterback whose leverage he overstated. That pattern points less to a coherent roster-building philosophy and more to uneven negotiation instincts at critical decision points.
There was almost near agreement on BBI for Schoen to set his price and stand his ground.
Hindsight is always 20/20, so don't really concern one's self with ex post facto results.
As far as Barkley, he would have been FA after this season had he taken the Giants deal. Hard to actually say that he would have earned less had he taken Schoens' deal he did lose at least $2 mill on the tag, but with the extension he got from the Eagles after the SB win, he made out better and got a ring he would not have gotten had he stayed. It did workout better for Barkley in the long run and probably Julian Love, too.
Pointing out that Philadelphia paid Barkley roughly the same annual value Schoen once floated misses the key context. The Eagles were bidding on an older Barkley coming off a less productive season. Paying the same money for a depreciated asset is, by definition, offering more value. That should tell you the original deal was viable.
More importantly, Barkley’s decision path proves the point. By taking the franchise tag and then signing in Philadelphia, he earned more cash across 2024 and 2025 than the entire three-year offer the Giants reportedly had on the table. The market didn’t just validate Barkley, it showed the Giants misjudged both timing and leverage.
The Julian Love situation follows the same pattern. When a player says he wants to test the market and that market ultimately settles below your prior offer, that is a win condition for the team. You match or slightly adjust and keep a productive starter. Instead, Schoen drew a hard line and walked away, even though reporting indicated Love would have accepted a match of Seattle’s deal. That is not disciplined negotiation, it is inflexibility overriding market feedback.
Taken together, Barkley and Love suggest a GM who got anchored to his initial valuations and refused to recalibrate when new information arrived. The irony is that this rigidity vanished in the Daniel Jones negotiation, where Schoen conceded leverage and overpaid relative to market expectations. Jones’s own representation later implied the Giants did poorly in that process.
So the issue isn’t simply “he was tough on Barkley and Love.” It’s inconsistency. He was overly rigid with two players whose markets he misread, then overly pliable with a quarterback whose leverage he overstated. That pattern points less to a coherent roster-building philosophy and more to uneven negotiation instincts at critical decision points.
Awesome post and spot on
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That he isnt “good” at it (despite being PFFs #4 graded OC overall)
That the alternative is JMS who ranked even worse in pass blocking ! (28th overall)
this is the fan base in a nutshell. complain the team stinks while saying mediocre to bad players are good and should kept/re-signed.
Exactly right Victor. I think the more players Harbaugh can replace from 7-27 the last two years the better. It wasn't just coaching. the Giants 2026 under contract, as of today, roster is awful at OL, WR, ILB, DT, CB, S, TE.
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In comment 17108456 HardTruth said:
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That he isnt “good” at it (despite being PFFs #4 graded OC overall)
That the alternative is JMS who ranked even worse in pass blocking ! (28th overall)
this is the fan base in a nutshell. complain the team stinks while saying mediocre to bad players are good and should kept/re-signed.
Exactly right Victor. I think the more players Harbaugh can replace from 7-27 the last two years the better. It wasn't just coaching. the Giants 2026 under contract, as of today, roster is awful at OL, WR, ILB, DT, CB, S, TE.
thanks arnie, and agree. QB, RB and Edge Rusher are the only position groups than aren't inferior. you dont get a .205 winning pct over 2 seasons by accident.
There was almost near agreement on BBI for Schoen to set his price and stand his ground.
Hindsight is always 20/20, so don't really concern one's self with ex post facto results.
As far as Barkley, he would have been FA after this season had he taken the Giants deal. Hard to actually say that he would have earned less had he taken Schoens' deal he did lose at least $2 mill on the tag, but with the extension he got from the Eagles after the SB win, he made out better and got a ring he would not have gotten had he stayed. It did workout better for Barkley in the long run and probably Julian Love, too.
1) I'm not making a value judgement on how fans thought of any given decision, I don't care what the fans think. I care if the general manager did a good job. Outcomes are how we judge whether someone has succeeded or not. The outcomes point to Schoen making poor decisions.
2) RE: Barkley, according to Dunleavy and Garafolo Schoen put a stake in the ground and his best and final offer was ~3 years, $33 million with $22-23 million guaranteed all in the first 2 years (2023 & 2024).
What we know is that by accepting the tender in 2023, and the guaranteed money in just his first deal with Philly, he earned $25 million in 2023 & 2024.
Again, we don't have to guess. We know what the market for Barkley was, because we know what he was paid.
Team Barkley knew Schoen offered him a below market deal. And the worst part is per the reporting he was ready to take that below market deal if Schoen would have been a touch more flexible.
This is the guy who lost Barkley over a reported $1 million dollars. But was willing to give Jones a contract even Jones's people thought was ridiculous.
I am equally excited for Aponte joining the Giants as I am Harbaugh.
5- sign Tyler Linderbaum (5 years 20 mil per) , Wyatt Teller OG 3 yrs 31 mil, Patrick Ricard 2 yrs 6 mil, Keenan Allen 1 yr 7 mil, Calais Campbell 1 yr 6 mil, Darrell Baker 2 yrs 8 million DB, Rasul Douglas DB 1 yr 4 mil , Jordan Stout P 3 yrs 12 million and Devin Bush 3 yrs 30 mil
6- draft Caleb Downs (my priority is Bain 1, Downs 2 abd Styles 3 for our pick) and Emmanuel Pregnon OG (Bisonti as a second choice) in rd 2 . I would also target a WR, OT, DL and CB in our other picks.
And I see this as the problem with getting Linderbaum. You get one top FA, Linderbaum, two decent FA in Teller and Bush, and a bunch of JAGs. You don’t seem to have a RT and you have an aging vet at starting WR 2. Take the Linderbaum and Allen money and get a solid WR and a decent RT. Next year you replace JMS.