51 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

ESPN: Ravens target Jackson extension, Linderbaum deal

https://www.espn.com...n-lamar-jackson

[Mackus]

Interesting to me to hear DeCosta say that they made a "market-setting" offer to Linderbaum.  That's gotta mean highest paid, so I'll guess they offered something slightly more than Humphrey got.  So that'd definitely be more than $18M per year and $35M in fully guaranteed money and perhaps even a 5th year

[mdrunning]

As was being discussed on The Fan this morning, DeCosta's remarks could also mean he's getting frustrated with Linderbaum's agent. If the Ravens indeed offered a bellwether contract and Linderbaum isn't accepting, it could mean he's intent on hitting the open market, which is the one place the Ravens don't want him to go. 

[TwentyThirtyFive]

As was being discussed on The Fan this morning, DeCosta's remarks could also mean he's getting frustrated with Linderbaum's agent. If the Ravens indeed offered a bellwether contract and Linderbaum isn't accepting, it could mean he's intent on hitting the open market, which is the one place the Ravens don't want him to go.

Thought about that. Once you start negotiating through the media its usually not a good sign

[Mackus]

As was being discussed on The Fan this morning, DeCosta's remarks could also mean he's getting frustrated with Linderbaum's agent. If the Ravens indeed offered a bellwether contract and Linderbaum isn't accepting, it could mean he's intent on hitting the open market, which is the one place the Ravens don't want him to go. 

 

Didn't sound frustrated to me, but DeCosta doesn't usually let any emotion into his public comments.  

 

Seems obvious that Linderbaum is going to test free agency.  The time after a season but before free agency has gotta be the least likely time to get a player to agree to a deal, especially one who is not a realistic franchise tag candidate. There is literally no reason for Linderbaum to sign a deal right now unless the Ravens say they're pulling the offer when free agency begins.  I know it does happen sometimes, so credit to the Ravens for trying, but they shouldn't be getting frustrated that he isn't accepting (not saying they are actually frustrated).  It's pretty much the expectation.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Thats true. Linderbaum should test FA. Its in his best interest without a doubt. I do think there is a team that will make a big overpay and I dont think the Ravens should match. Think hes less than 50% to come back at this point

[makoman]

I saw a Rapoport interview where he said Linderbaum’s agent’s way of negotiating is just to not respond, so that makes things difficult. But yeah no real reason for him to sign before FA at this point.

[BSLMattJergensen]

DeCosta seemed confident that an extension will get done. That's the preferable option. He seemed to feel that he has a good relationship and that they can work it out as they did last time. I think it will get done and they will avoid a restructure.

 

Linderbaum was offered a "market setting" offer. It sound like he will hit FA. I'm not expecting him to return.

 

It also sounded like both Roquan and Humphrey would be back but there would need to be something to get their cap numbers down.

 

Likely will hit the FA market even though the team has expressed a want to re-sign him.

 

Justin Madibuike will reveal his future plans and not the team.

 

Pass Rush and trenches are the priority in the draft and FA. BPA will be adjusted slightly by positional needs this season.

[BSLJamieSieck]

Lamar is, and will always be, a bit of an enigma. I don't mean that to be negative but because he's very private and doesn't have an agent, we're often left to speculate where he is with things.

 

The optimist in me says we quickly get an extension done and hit free agency with a decent amount of cap space to address the holes in the roster.

 

The pessimist in me says Lamar holds a decent amount of leverage and can just stand pat and let EDC restructure. Then, his cap number will be super high for 2027 and, if he has a good, healthy season in 2026, he will have even more leverage.

 

I'm very concerned about the situation with the Linderbaum and the offensive line in general. I'm glad the organization is acknowledging the need to address OLine but there's a ton of work to do. Regarding Linderbaum, there's always teams that are well below the salary floor and cash spend and will overpay free agents. If Linderbaum hits the open market, I would almost guarantee he's gone. 

[Mackus]

Id much rather let Linderbaum walk than pay him $22M a year. I'm hesitant at $16M. He's a good center, perhaps a great one, but I don't think he's worth 20% more than the current top paid center.

To compare to how big of a deal that'd be, it'd be like paying Lamar $72M a year. Hamilton's $25M per year was a similar reset of the safety market. That's one I was comfortable with, but I wouldn't do the same for Linderbaum.

[Mackus]

Can you get McGovern or Pocic or Mays for $12-15M instead and have enough left over to sign a FA guard?

[makoman]

Can you get McGovern or Pocic or Mays for $12-15M instead and have enough left over to sign a FA guard?

I don't get being good with one of them at 15 but being hesitant on Linderbaum at 16. 12 vs 20 may be a different story, sure. 

 

I don't know anything about centers, but pff still has Linderbaum at 80 and all those in the 60s this year, which we all consider Linderbaum's worst, and with questions whether the terrible guards helped cause that. Just about all the pundits have agreed Linderbaum would get highest paid center money. I think if he only wanted 18.5, still market setting, the deal would be done, but yeah we have no idea if he is being reasonable or what. But no reason for him to not wait and see other offers.

[jamesdean]

Lamar is, and will always be, a bit of an enigma. I don't mean that to be negative but because he's very private and doesn't have an agent, we're often left to speculate where he is with things.

 

The optimist in me says we quickly get an extension done and hit free agency with a decent amount of cap space to address the holes in the roster.

 

The pessimist in me says Lamar holds a decent amount of leverage and can just stand pat and let EDC restructure. Then, his cap number will be super high for 2027 and, if he has a good, healthy season in 2026, he will have even more leverage.

 

I'm very concerned about the situation with the Linderbaum and the offensive line in general. I'm glad the organization is acknowledging the need to address OLine but there's a ton of work to do. Regarding Linderbaum, there's always teams that are well below the salary floor and cash spend and will overpay free agents. If Linderbaum hits the open market, I would almost guarantee he's gone. 

Agreed, and it will probably be a lousy team with a lot of cash to spend.  He'll gladly take the most money and experience a 5-12 season with another team. 

[Mackus]

Agreed, and it will probably be a lousy team with a lot of cash to spend. He'll gladly take the most money and experience a 5-12 season with another team.

The highest paid center is on the Chiefs, so I don't think it's fair to suggest that everyone who wants to win has to settle for less money. Or that by taking the most money, they're accepting losing.

Myles Garrett staying in Cleveland or anyone signing with the Raiders or a couple other teams probably meets that criteria. But most star players can both get top dollar and have a good chance at winning.

[jamesdean]

The highest paid center is on the Chiefs, so I don't think it's fair to suggest that everyone who wants to win has to settle for less money. Or that by taking the most money, they're accepting losing.

Myles Garrett staying in Cleveland or anyone signing with the Raiders or a couple other teams probably meets that criteria. But most star players can both get top dollar and have a good chance at winning.

If they can sign with a good team, great, but you're kidding yourself if you think they ultimately care about that.  Show them the money, and they'll gladly put on a Browns or Jets uniform and endure one losing season after another.  Actually, with the Raiders about to draft Mendoza, their situation might be somewhat intriguing for Linderbaum if they threw a ton of money at him.  They'd probably still go 5-12 next year but at least they have some future potential.  If Linderbaum really cares about winning, he would accept the Ravens offer and possibly less money.  Only time will tell to see if that's how he really feels.  

[Mike B]

Frankly if I were the Ravens I would begin to plan to approach other options.  Lindy is a good player but I am not sure he is good enough to reset the market.  Like most centers he gets overpowered by the bigger nose tackles.  I think the reason for EDC to make that statement is to try to pressure Lindy and his agent.  

[BSLJamieSieck]

The highest paid center is on the Chiefs, so I don't think it's fair to suggest that everyone who wants to win has to settle for less money. Or that by taking the most money, they're accepting losing.

Myles Garrett staying in Cleveland or anyone signing with the Raiders or a couple other teams probably meets that criteria. But most star players can both get top dollar and have a good chance at winning.

 

I don't think anyone is necessarily saying this but it's just basic logic. Generally speaking, the teams the don't draft well, don't have good records. And because they don't draft well, they don't spend money on extensions, which leaves poorer teams with more money to spend.

 

Of course good teams can prioritize limited resources to a particular free agent. Albeit, if you look at highly paid players that are on traditionally good teams, they're almost always home grown players.

[Mackus]

I don't think anyone is necessarily saying this but it's just basic logic. Generally speaking, the teams the don't draft well, don't have good records. And because they don't draft well, they don't spend money on extensions, which leaves poorer teams with more money to spend.

 

Of course good teams can prioritize limited resources to a particular free agent. Albeit, if you look at highly paid players that are on traditionally good teams, they're almost always home grown players.

 

I don't think we need to only look at free agents to address the topic.  Plenty of guys accept extensions for what is still top dollar and would fit the example of getting the most they can without sacrificing the chance to win.  And the inverse exists, as well, I used Myles Garrett as someone who obviously took the money at the expense of winning, and he's home-grown.

 

I think you'll find plenty of good teams have high-priced free agents or guys signed to extensions, and I don't think you'll find that those guys were taking below market deals because the team is good.  They still got top dollar while maintaining a chance to win.

[Mashed Potatoes]

I'm torn on Linderbaum. Obviously a really good player. His past season's performance doesn't justify the contract he can get on the open market, BUT, I wonder how much his own performance was impacted by the sub par play on either side of him.

[Biggsy]

If Linderbaum hits the market, really feels like he'll be gone. Vegas is flush with cap space, has a huge need on the O-line. Just feels like a team that would be stupid enough to pay him $25+ million a year.

The other side of that, you have to hope he gets out there, and everyone has the same thoughts, and he comes back because Baltimore is actually the best offer. Doubtful, but plausible.

I do believe Lamar gets something done soon. If he resigns/restructures, that opens up a lot of valuable cap space.