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Tyler Linderbaum #64 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Since the New York Giants hired John Harbaugh as head coach, fans and analysts have been quick to circle impending Baltimore Ravens free agents who could join their former head coach in New York.
Atop the list is All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum, who, after playing out his rookie contract, is set to hit the open market.
Linderbaum is widely expected to be one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason. Depending on what source you look at, the former first-round pick is expected to receive a deal worth upwards of $80 million, earning him a yearly salary anywhere between $17-$20 million.
The Giants can barely afford to bring back some of their own impending free agents, let alone spend that much money on a center.
Are there any other cost-effective options out there that could still stabilize the interior of New York’s offensive line?
Giants Urged to Target Guard Isaac Seumalo
Dan Duggan of The Athletic urged the New York Giants to target Pittsburgh Steelers guard Isaac Seumalo in free agency, as opposed to dumping all their eggs in the Linderbaum basket.
“I advocated for the Giants to sign Seumalo the last time he was a free agent, when he signed a surprisingly economical three-year, $24 million contract with the Steelers in 2023. After three solid seasons in Pittsburgh, the 32-year-old is back on the market. Signing Seumalo to the one-year, $8 million contract projected by PFF would be a cost-effective upgrade at right guard,” wrote Duggan.
Seumalo, who just wrapped up a three-year stint with the Steelers, earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024.
Despite not being as young or talented as Linderbaum, the 10-year veteran would still be an effective option for the Giants as they look keep their offensive line stable in front of second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Incumbent right guard Greg Van Roten is an impending free agent, and at age 35, he’s likely best served as a reserve player at this point in his career.
Signing Seumalo would plug that hole on the Giants’ offensive line and give them a quality starter as they continue to look for a long-term option on the interior, likely in the NFL Draft.
Dan Duggan Says Giants Don’t Need Tyler Linderbaum
As nice as a luxury Linderbaum would be for the New York Giants, Duggan suggests that the team doesn’t need to break the bank for a center and is better off allocating their resources elsewhere across the roster.
“There will be calls to sign Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, but his PFF projected contract of four years for $80 million is prohibitive, considering the Giants’ bigger needs elsewhere. They’re better off making an economical upgrade at guard and then spreading money around to value signings at wide receiver and linebacker,” continued Duggan.
“The Giants don’t need to spend top dollar on Linderbaum to infuse some Ravens culture into the team. Fullback Patrick Ricard, who has spent his entire nine-year career in Baltimore, is an obvious budget-friendly target.”
John Michael Schmitz hasn’t been the best center in the NFL since the Giants selected him 57th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he’s still young and has room to grow under New York’s new coaching staff.
The Giants would be putting themselves in a bind signing Linderbaum, restricting their flexibility as they head into a pivotal offseason under their new head coach.
Duggan is probably right. Linderbaum is a great player, but New York just isn’t in a position to use up all their free-agent money on one singular player.
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