With the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks preparing to square off in the Super Bowl this Sunday, the Detroit Lions have already turned their attention toward the offseason and building a roster capable of making a deeper run in 2026.
One of Detroit’s most pressing issues from the recently concluded season was the offensive line. The unit took a noticeable step back following the retirement of longtime center Frank Ragnow, while Graham Glasgow struggled to consistently fill the void. Matters worsened when veteran tackle Dan Skipper recently announced his decision to retire.
Because of those setbacks, Sports Illustrated’s Christian Booher believes Detroit should aggressively explore outside help — specifically Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum — if he becomes available in free agency.
“For Detroit, one potential move would be targeting Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum if he doesn’t finalize a contract extension,” Booher wrote.
At just 26 years old, Linderbaum has already earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections and could serve as a cornerstone for the Lions’ offensive line for years to come. Given Detroit’s commitment to a run-heavy offense, adding an elite center could have a major impact.
Why Linderbaum Makes Sense for Detroit
Booher also pointed out that bringing in a proven veteran like Linderbaum would ease the burden on Detroit’s younger linemen, including Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany.
“Adding Linderbaum would reduce pressure on developing players such as Ratledge and Mahogany,” Booher noted. “Ratledge, in particular, spent time at center during training camp before starting every game at right guard as a rookie.”
While there’s no certainty that Linderbaum will reach free agency, Booher stressed that Detroit should move quickly if the opportunity arises, as multiple teams would likely pursue him.
“If Taylor Decker returns for the 2026 season, Detroit could feature three Pro Bowl-caliber players across its starting offensive line,” Booher wrote. “Linderbaum may never hit the open market, but if he does, the Lions can’t afford to hesitate.”
Drafted 25th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Linderbaum has started all 66 games he’s appeared in and has already built an impressive résumé. League projections suggest his next contract could exceed $70 million.
Detroit Still Waiting on Taylor Decker
While Skipper’s retirement is already official, Detroit is still awaiting a final decision from veteran tackle Taylor Decker. Following the Lions’ season-ending matchup against the Chicago Bears — coached by former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson — Decker acknowledged that stepping away from football is something he’s seriously weighing.
“I just need some distance right now,” Decker said after the game. “It’s been mentally exhausting dealing with constant pain and still having to go out and perform. I’m not sleeping well, and mentally I’m not in a great place. I keep playing because I love the game and my teammates, but I need time to figure things out.”
