Baltimore, MD – May 24, 2025 – The Baltimore Ravens have made a decision t
hat’s quietly raising questions around the NFL: they’ve declined the fifth-year option on their star offensive lineman — a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the league’s most consistent performers in the trenches. It’s not a signal of doubt in his ability, but rather a calculated move based on cost. And yet, that calculation might carry a hefty long-term price.
Since being selected 25th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, the former Iowa standout has started every game and quickly risen to elite status at his position. In 2024, he earned a 78.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, the fifth-highest among all centers in the league. That performance, coupled with his back-to-back Pro Bowl selections, makes him a cornerstone of Baltimore’s offensive identity.
According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, “the Ravens didn’t pick up the additional year on Linderbaum’s rookie deal because it would have exceeded the highest-paid center’s contract by a little more than $5.4 million.” Currently, that top mark belongs to the Eagles’ Cam Jurgens, who signed a four-year, $68 million deal. While the financial logic is clear, it opens the door to greater risk.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton added, “The Ravens declined Linderbaum’s fifth-year option, though they do want to retain him long-term. Now, Baltimore has to speed up the clock on signing Linderbaum to an extension before he hits free agency in 2026. Linderbaum deserves a big-money deal that tops Philadelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens' four-year, $68 million contract.”
By waiting, the Ravens are giving themselves short-term cap flexibility — a necessary tactic in a year when they may also need to finalize a new deal with quarterback Lamar Jackson. But they’ve also handed leverage to a player whose value is trending upward with every snap.
The Ravens haven’t lost him yet, but this move accelerates the timeline. They now have less time, less control, and likely, less negotiating power. And if they want to keep one of the best centers in football anchoring their offensive line beyond 2025, the window to strike a deal just narrowed — and the price just went up.
