Mike Garafolo
@MikeGarafolo
·
5m
#Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said they’ve made a “market-setting” offer to pending free agent Tyler Linderbaum. Now adds no tag coming.
Creed Humphrey currently leads the way in the center market at $18m per season.
nearly everything I have read from beats or writers with real connections has pointed to Linderbaum returning to the Ravens. If he resigns with the Ravens, it will be one of the least surprising events of the offseason. Your mileage may vary.
Want to come out of FA with a handful of solid FA. All tiers.
Really want to pluck one of the ILBs we have discussed in FA, cost will be less than TL
Would I like a top OC, absolutely
But it’s sounds like his game isn’t flawless
We have a lot of holes, fill in a few in FA, a couple in draft and hopefully coaching up some developing guys too
because he fits what they want. He's a very good run blocker and it doesn't matter to the Ravens as much if he gives up pressure up the middle because Lamar Jackson can escape it. Dart may not be so lucky escaping A gap pressure.
Also coaches and front offices always have a blind spot for players they scout and draft, valuing them higher then other teams.
that JMS sure has shown a lot of promise! Gonna do big things in 2026!
;-)
😂
But...but...but I thought Linderbaum sucks at pass blocking?
Ravens must be a dumb organization to want to set the market for a guy that can't pass block a traffic cone. Harbaugh also dumb to want overrated undersized non premium position center.
but he hasn't been awful here and at times showed progress only to be stonewalled by injury.
I keep saying it and it's something I am certain of and that is there will be players here who go from C- to B+ players here in 2026. JMS might be one of them. He's still young and showed signs of improvement, at times in 2025. I know every time we want to buy in on JMS he takes a step back, but things should be more condusive to player development now. Can't wait.
And Linderbaum isn't an option, McGovern or Cade Mays are the next best options, and they'd probably cost half as much. May be more prudent to ride with JMS this year and look to upgrade through the draft, a developmental pick this year and/or a day 2 pick next year.
Linderbaum and Downs have taken on mythical status for some. It's getting weird.
I'd say Linderbaum has already proven himself and to hear guys like Jeremiah talk about him it sounds like entire league is chomping at the bit to make a run at him (could be why Ravens making market setting offer). If you watch him vs JMS - it's really not close (at all).
In terms of whether Giants go after Linderbaum or not - I guess that will be the tell or maybe the $$$ will just be too great. I tend to think there are intangibles he brings that we can't see but a coach might love. Just me guessing.
In terms of Downs --- I'm not sure I get the hype. Again - going to Jeremiah who said - paraphrasing here "he lacks elite traits".
The other guy I don't get the hype on is Reese. Six sacks I think in first 6 games then a no-show. I think it was Bailey who had 6 forced fumbles in his career and alarmingly Reese had ZERO. Plus Reese <100 pass rush snaps in career (very low #). Some say he's more an off-ball LB but watch games and he doesn't make plays.
Think I'd prefer Styles over both Reese and Downs but again just my view.
Linderbaum and Downs have taken on mythical status for some. It's getting weird.
I'd add Eric that Eric DeCosta (one of the most respected football minds in the business) just made a market setting offer to Linderbaum.
Doesn't seem that big a leap that some fans would have a very high opinion of the same player - someone who has made 3 straight pro bowls, is 25 and only potentially available because of his tag #.
Linderbaum is one of the best FAs available in a very weak FA market.
He's a very good run blocker and has had his issues in pass protection (something BBI hyper-focuses on in the first place). In others words, he's good, but he's not that good.
On social media, he's taken on this image of being something he's not. I guarantee you that half the Giants fans on social media clamoring for him never heard of him three months ago.
Linderbaum and Downs have taken on mythical status for some. It's getting weird.
I'd add Eric that Eric DeCosta (one of the most respected football minds in the business) just made a market setting offer to Linderbaum.
Doesn't seem that big a leap that some fans would have a very high opinion of the same player - someone who has made 3 straight pro bowls, is 25 and only potentially available because of his tag #.
And the Patriots very much wanted to keep Nate Solder.
For the first time in over a decade I have full confidence that there won’t be any dimwitted Golliday/Solder panic signings. However this offseason plays out, I am sure there will be a quality product taking the field in September.
Linderbaum and Downs have taken on mythical status for some. It's getting weird.
I'd add Eric that Eric DeCosta (one of the most respected football minds in the business) just made a market setting offer to Linderbaum.
Doesn't seem that big a leap that some fans would have a very high opinion of the same player - someone who has made 3 straight pro bowls, is 25 and only potentially available because of his tag #.
And the Patriots very much wanted to keep Nate Solder.
How is he Nate Solder?
Linderbaum was regarded as one of the best OC prospects of all time. He subsequently came into league and made 3 straight Pro Bowls after his rookie season and has been graded the #2 and #4 OC by PFF. He is 25 years old. He is consensus regarded as top 5 OC in league and top 5 available FA
Nate Solder was 29 and turning 30 when he hit FA. He had never once been a Pro Bowler despite being a Patriot and having that SB exposure. He was never close to be considered top 5 and not even a top 10 player at his position.
On top he was switching to a new HC and different system asking different things of him
Linderbaum would be going to the HC he played for and therefore a very similar system that asks very similar things of him.
;-)
;-)
😂
;-)
He-he-he...
Also Giants fans:
“Forget the 25-year-old All-Pro, let’s fill out the roster with second- and third-tier free agent JAGs.”
And yet the Ravens are breaking that trend for this player.
The new staff is installing an entirely new and different blocking scheme that relies on unit blocking and not individual
He has Giants with his old HC, Browns with his old system and Chargers who run a similar one all ready to make market setting offers
Linderbaums bread and butter is his pre-snap knowledge and calls in the system
Really want to pluck one of the ILBs we have discussed in FA, cost will be less than TL
Would I like a top OC, absolutely
But it’s sounds like his game isn’t flawless
We have a lot of holes, fill in a few in FA, a couple in draft and hopefully coaching up some developing guys too
Apparently the Ravens don't think so.
Apparently the Ravens don't think so.
because he fits what they want. He's a very good run blocker and it doesn't matter to the Ravens as much if he gives up pressure up the middle because Lamar Jackson can escape it. Dart may not be so lucky escaping A gap pressure.
Also coaches and front offices always have a blind spot for players they scout and draft, valuing them higher then other teams.
Also Giants fans:
“Forget the 25-year-old All-Pro, let’s fill out the roster with second- and third-tier free agent JAGs.”
Yeah, let's sign one overpriced player so that we can't get 2 or 3 other needed players. That will show them!
The Ravens announcing they made an offer like this in public is not a sign they think he is signing with them
Its a PR move showing their fans they made every effort
Quote:
that JMS sure has shown a lot of promise! Gonna do big things in 2026!
;-)
😂
But...but...but I thought Linderbaum sucks at pass blocking?
Ravens must be a dumb organization to want to set the market for a guy that can't pass block a traffic cone. Harbaugh also dumb to want overrated undersized non premium position center.
Signed Sarcasm
Quote:
“We have a good young QB on a rookie deal, let’s get aggressive!”
Also Giants fans:
“Forget the 25-year-old All-Pro, let’s fill out the roster with second- and third-tier free agent JAGs.”
Yeah, let's sign one overpriced player so that we can't get 2 or 3 other needed players. That will show them!
Yep - Harbaugh is a dumb football guy if he does that.
The Ravens announcing they made an offer like this in public is not a sign they think he is signing with them
Its a PR move showing their fans they made every effort
EXACTLY
I keep saying it and it's something I am certain of and that is there will be players here who go from C- to B+ players here in 2026. JMS might be one of them. He's still young and showed signs of improvement, at times in 2025. I know every time we want to buy in on JMS he takes a step back, but things should be more condusive to player development now. Can't wait.
And at the end of the day this is about money.
Quote:
but if we're going to start doing things similarly to how the Ravens have been running their org, I don't see us chasing top of the market FA's.
And yet the Ravens are breaking that trend for this player.
He is their own player.
I'd say Linderbaum has already proven himself and to hear guys like Jeremiah talk about him it sounds like entire league is chomping at the bit to make a run at him (could be why Ravens making market setting offer). If you watch him vs JMS - it's really not close (at all).
In terms of whether Giants go after Linderbaum or not - I guess that will be the tell or maybe the $$$ will just be too great. I tend to think there are intangibles he brings that we can't see but a coach might love. Just me guessing.
In terms of Downs --- I'm not sure I get the hype. Again - going to Jeremiah who said - paraphrasing here "he lacks elite traits".
The other guy I don't get the hype on is Reese. Six sacks I think in first 6 games then a no-show. I think it was Bailey who had 6 forced fumbles in his career and alarmingly Reese had ZERO. Plus Reese <100 pass rush snaps in career (very low #). Some say he's more an off-ball LB but watch games and he doesn't make plays.
Think I'd prefer Styles over both Reese and Downs but again just my view.
I'd add Eric that Eric DeCosta (one of the most respected football minds in the business) just made a market setting offer to Linderbaum.
Doesn't seem that big a leap that some fans would have a very high opinion of the same player - someone who has made 3 straight pro bowls, is 25 and only potentially available because of his tag #.
He's a very good run blocker and has had his issues in pass protection (something BBI hyper-focuses on in the first place). In others words, he's good, but he's not that good.
On social media, he's taken on this image of being something he's not. I guarantee you that half the Giants fans on social media clamoring for him never heard of him three months ago.
Quote:
Linderbaum and Downs have taken on mythical status for some. It's getting weird.
I'd add Eric that Eric DeCosta (one of the most respected football minds in the business) just made a market setting offer to Linderbaum.
Doesn't seem that big a leap that some fans would have a very high opinion of the same player - someone who has made 3 straight pro bowls, is 25 and only potentially available because of his tag #.
And the Patriots very much wanted to keep Nate Solder.
Quote:
In comment 17108772 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
Linderbaum and Downs have taken on mythical status for some. It's getting weird.
I'd add Eric that Eric DeCosta (one of the most respected football minds in the business) just made a market setting offer to Linderbaum.
Doesn't seem that big a leap that some fans would have a very high opinion of the same player - someone who has made 3 straight pro bowls, is 25 and only potentially available because of his tag #.
And the Patriots very much wanted to keep Nate Solder.
How is he Nate Solder?
Linderbaum was regarded as one of the best OC prospects of all time. He subsequently came into league and made 3 straight Pro Bowls after his rookie season and has been graded the #2 and #4 OC by PFF. He is 25 years old. He is consensus regarded as top 5 OC in league and top 5 available FA
Nate Solder was 29 and turning 30 when he hit FA. He had never once been a Pro Bowler despite being a Patriot and having that SB exposure. He was never close to be considered top 5 and not even a top 10 player at his position.
On top he was switching to a new HC and different system asking different things of him
Linderbaum would be going to the HC he played for and therefore a very similar system that asks very similar things of him.
Entirely different scenarios