The New York Giants got off to a hot start in the offseason, hiring John Harbaugh to be the team’s head coach, and the franchise will try to carry that momentum into free agency. The Giants have players they need to re-sign, as well as external free agents who would address some of the team’s biggest needs.
One of those external free agents is Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, and he has already been identified as a perfect fit for New York. However, if the Giants are going to land him, they will likely have to commit a lot of money to the center. That was made evident on Tuesday, when Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta revealed that Baltimore has already offered Linderbaum a market-resetting contract.
That would mean more than $18 mil in AAV and/or more than $50 mil in practical guarantees for those wondering. https://t.co/KtGN8UGJG9
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) February 24, 2026
Giants will have to compete with Ravens’ massive contract offer for Tyler Linderbaum
The highest-paid center in the NFL is currently Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, making $18 million a year. Baltimore is making it clear Linderbaum will have the opportunity to surpass that number without leaving the team that drafted him. It only makes sense that the Ravens would be willing to do that, considering Linderbaum’s status as arguably the best center in football.
The good news for teams like the Giants, who want to add the veteran center to their roster this spring, is that he hasn’t accepted accepted the offer yet. Since Linderbaum is already a member of the Ravens, the team can sign him to a new deal before the start of free agency. The center leaving the current offer on the table could mean that he wants to explore free agency.
If it’s strictly about getting the biggest bag, for Linderbaum, the Giants could find themselves in a bidding war with several teams who would love to add the center. However, money may not be the end-all-be-all for the free agent. New York does have John Harbuagh, Linderbaum’s only NFL coach in his four seasons, and that relationship could be a factor.
If familiarity is a factor, the Giants will face stiff competition from The Cleveland Browns. The Browns recently hired former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as the team’s head coach, and he brought over several offensive coaches from Baltimore’s staff. That’s all to say that the Giants must be prepared for a very competitive market for Tyler Linderbaum.