The Ravens had until May 1 to decide on Tyler Linderbaum’s fifth-year options, and GM Eric DeCosta was in no rush to announce a conclusion. NFL rookies are given four-year contracts when they enter the league; first-round picks include a team option for a fifth season, which teams can choose to pick up or decline.
Since he’s been to multiple Pro Bowls, Linderbaum would have cost $23.4 million for the 2026 season.
On Wednesday, just one day before the deadline, DeCosta exercised Hamilton’s option, while the team declined Linderbaum’s option, hoping to agree to a long-term deal. One primary reason for declining Linderbaum is that it would have made him the highest-paid center in the NFL.
Tyler Linderbaum’s fifth-year option would have been $23.4M, which is $5.4M more than the NFL’s highest-paid center in terms of average per year (Creed Humphrey at $18M) https://t.co/0RUNZKExRC
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 30, 2025
The fifth-year option values are the same for all offensive linemen rather than being broken down by position (C/G/T). Linderbaum essentially would have had a fifth-year option comparable to the top left or right tackles in the NFL, making him the highest paid at his position ahead of Creed Humphrey and others.
Hamilton was selected 14th overall out of Notre Dame, while Linderbaum was selected 25th out of Iowa. Hamilton is a no-brainer, and he’ll likely reset the market for safeties after Antoine Winfield’s $80 million deal. With Linderbaum’s option declined, Baltimore looks to work out a long-term contract with more manageable numbers for the center.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 5th-year option would have made Tyler Linderbaum highest-paid center
The Ravens had until May 1 to decide on Tyler Linderbaum’s fifth-year options, and GM Eric DeCosta was in no rush to announce a conclusion. NFL rookies are given four-year contracts when they enter the league; first-round picks include a team option for a fifth season, which teams can choose to pick up or decline.
Since he’s been to multiple Pro Bowls, Linderbaum would have cost $23.4 million for the 2026 season.
On Wednesday, just one day before the deadline, DeCosta exercised Hamilton’s option, while the team declined Linderbaum’s option, hoping to agree to a long-term deal. One primary reason for declining Linderbaum is that it would have made him the highest-paid center in the NFL.
Tyler Linderbaum’s fifth-year option would have been $23.4M, which is $5.4M more than the NFL’s highest-paid center in terms of average per year (Creed Humphrey at $18M) https://t.co/0RUNZKExRC
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 30, 2025
The fifth-year option values are the same for all offensive linemen rather than being broken down by position (C/G/T). Linderbaum essentially would have had a fifth-year option comparable to the top left or right tackles in the NFL, making him the highest paid at his position ahead of Creed Humphrey and others.
Hamilton was selected 14th overall out of Notre Dame, while Linderbaum was selected 25th out of Iowa. Hamilton is a no-brainer, and he’ll likely reset the market for safeties after Antoine Winfield’s $80 million deal. With Linderbaum’s option declined, Baltimore looks to work out a long-term contract with more manageable numbers for the center.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 5th-year option would have made Tyler Linderbaum highest-paid center
