The Detroit Lions are in for a busy offseason. Missing the playoffs for the first time in three years, Dan Campbell’s team needs to regroup in order to return to the top of the NFC. Improving the offensive line is a priority on their list of offseason tasks, and one star player could arrive in free agency.
Tyler Linderbaum a Possible Target for the Detroit Lions in Free Agency
The franchise tag period has ended, and as expected, the Baltimore Ravens did not tag Tyler Linderbaum. The center, one of the best players who’ll be available on the market, is expected to be a free agent next week, unless he can find a long-term agreement with the Ravens.
If he reaches the market, Linderbaum is expected to be a coveted free agent. Teams such as the Los Angeles Chargers, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the New York Giants could make him the highest-paid center in the league.
But NFL reporter Albert Breer also believes that the Lions could make a big swing and offer him a massive deal:
“As for the Lions, I’d expect the acquisition of Scruggs to be the first one in a little bit of an offensive line reworking. Detroit’s identity was built through that position group through Dan Campbell’s first four years, and fell off a bit last year. To get it back to where it was, I wouldn’t rule out a big swing by Detroit, maybe on someone such as Ravens free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum.”
The Lions saw their offensive line decline sharply in 2025. Through our PFSN OL Impact Metric, the group ranked No. 5 in 2023 and No. 8 in 2024, but they dropped to No. 16 in 2025.
One of the key reasons for the decline was the sudden retirement of superstar center Frank Ragnow, who tried to return midway through the season, but couldn’t play after a failed physical. Signing Linderbaum would once again give the Lions an above-average center, easing the way for the rest of their offense.
Although the running game was still consistent in 2025, not many quarterbacks are affected by pressure as much as Jared Goff. Improving the interior of the offensive line would give him more time in the pocket, and consequently, the entire offense would improve.
Linderbaum is a difference maker both in the running game and as a pass blocker.
During the NFL Combine, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said the team offered Linderbaum a “market-setting offer” but recognized they had “some work to do.” He’s expected to shatter Creed Humphrey’s average of $18 million per year and become the highest-paid center in the league.
The doubt remains on which team will have him.
