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If the Detroit Lions had the means, they would have had the perfect player to target in free agency: Tyler Linderbaum.<\/p>\n
The Baltimore Ravens center is a free agent ahead of the 2026 season, and he’s likely to see a payday. According to Spotrac, it’s estimated that he’ll be looking at a deal in the range of 4 years and $70 million. While he would be an incredible addition to the Lions’ offensive line and would immediately address their biggest hole on their IOL, he’s incredibly in-affordable.<\/p>\n
One extremely affordable option for the Lions at center, though, could exist on the roster already – Tate Ratledge. The now-second year guard had a good rookie season at right guard, but had also been taking reps at center during training camp prior to the season beginning.<\/p>\n
This could indicate which direction the Lions are going to take in the offseason at the position if they remain cash-strapped.<\/p>\n
Detroit toyed around with the idea of moving Ratledge to center following the shocking retirement of Frank Ragnow after the 2025 NFL Draft. He lost the job to veteran guard\/center Graham Glasgow, since he had experience playing the position. But, it could be worth kicking the tires on this idea again to save the Lions some major cash.<\/p>\n
Tim Twentyman, the Lions’ team reporter, posted to social media all the way back in August that the team viewed Ratledge as their long-term solution at center. That strategy could’ve changed, of course, especially after seeing out well he did this season at right guard and how important it is to have a solid pass protecting center helping their offense.<\/p>\n
But, Ratledge could be shifted over, and could leave the Lions with a slightly more affordable choice of signing a right guard in free agency to replace him – ironically, Kevin Zeitler is a free agent this year, and a name worth monitoring on that front. In addition to him, a healthy Alijah Vera-Tucker could be a worthy investment, or even Ed Ingram.<\/p>\n
Ratledge flipping over to center would be hugely impactful to the Lions’ entire draft strategy, and their free agent spending. They could save a lot by just locating a serviceable veteran right guard to replace Ratledge, and could spend a top pick on a right guard to backup whichever veteran they slot in there.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Detroit already toyed with this idea back in August before the 2025 season, but they might go full send on it after Graham Glasgow’s disappointing 2025 campaign<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":41537,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41536","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-detroit-lions"],"yoast_head":"\n