The Green Bay Packers need a center, but the odds of them finding their solution in free agency have already taken a hit.
Tyler Linderbaum isn't just the best available in this year's class, but one of the top centers in all of football. Early projections had Linderbaum landing a deal worth around $70 million over four years, but it now appears it will go well beyond that.
Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta offered some hope by saying they don't plan to use the franchise tag on Linderbaum, but he added that they've offered him a "market-setting" deal. It would seem that Linderbaum wants to explore his options, and if that's the starting point, his value could quickly skyrocket out of the Packers' range.
#Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said they’ve made a “market-setting” offer to pending free agent Tyler Linderbaum. Now adds no tag coming.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 24, 2026
Creed Humphrey currently leads the way in the center market at $18m per season. https://t.co/Xs694cmbOL
Green Bay Packers' dreams of landing Tyler Linderbaum are likely already over
If there's one free agent worth going all-in for this offseason, it's Linderbaum. The Packers desperately need center help — the team is expected to cut Elgton Jenkins, while Sean Rhyan is a free agent. Linderbaum would add a Pro Bowl piece to an underperforming offensive line in Green Bay.
A three-time Pro Bowler, to be exact.
Linderbaum would be everything Josh Jacobs needs, as his 83.7 PFF run-blocking grade ranked fourth among centers last season. His overall grade of 80.3 ranked fifth at the position.
Brian Gutekunst is confident the Packers can make moves in free agency, but can they afford to add another top-of-the-market contract to their books after paying Jordan Love and Micah Parsons? They have several of their own free agents to make decisions on, including Romeo Doubs, Rasheed Walker, and Quay Walker.
It's not just the fact that Linderbaum will likely reset the market. It's the competition. The former first-round pick can make such a huge impact for any team searching for an upgrade at center (there are many) that the bidding war won't favor the Packers.
Creed Humphrey is currently the highest-paid center in the NFL. He's on a four-year, $72 million contract that averages $18 million per season. The Ravens have already made him a market-resetting offer, and if that hasn't got it done yet, it's hard to imagine how much higher his price tag will go once other teams can (officially) make their move.
It would be a dream scenario, but don't expect the Packers to be among them.