The Lions’ potential top free agent want is rumored to have just gotten a lot more expensive, Detroit will have big competition for him
It’ll cost the Detroit Lions a lot of money to get one top free agent target, but it would be worth it
We’re about seven weeks from the start of NFL free agency. There is one guy who is at the tippy top of the wish list for Detroit Lions fans, and presumably is pretty high on Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell’s wish list, as well: Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum.
If the Lions want him, they’re going to have to pay big.
Tyler Linderbaum is rumored to want $20 million a year
Now, I know Rickey isn’t the most well-known NFL insider in the world, that’s why we have to be a little careful with this. He certainly knows stuff and is right a high percentage of the time, though. So let’s just say this is the rumored amount.
This would make Linderbaum the highest-paid center in NFL history over Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, who has an $18 million AAV. Frank Ragnow’s was $13.5 million.
This does not mean that the Lions wouldn’t be interested or couldn’t pay him this. We know they’re a few moves away from being in the top five for most cap space available. If they have this money, they can spend it.
The problem the Lions face is the competition for Linderbaum, and there are two big teams to watch in this one. The Baltimore Ravens and the New York Giants.
The Ravens are the top competition right off the bat. They already have the guy in their building, and they have his ear. The Giants are big because they have the head coach he has spent his entire career with, they need a center, and they have the money. So this is something to keep an eye on for sure.