Who Should I Start? Tyler Linderbaum or Ikem Ekwonu

Wednesday, April 30, 1:30 PM

The Baltimore Ravens announced on Wednesday that they will not be picking up the fifth-year option on center Tyler Linderbaum. However, general manager Eric DeCosta said the organization is open to working out a new deal for the 25-year-old former 25th overall pick int he 2022 NFL draft out of Iowa. Unless the two sides work out a long-term contract extension, Linderbaum will be eligible for free agency following the 2025 season. He was a Pro Bowler in each of the last two seasons for the Ravens and has started all 49 games that he's appeared in over his three NFL seasons in Baltimore. Linderbaum was hampered by a back injury last year but managed to play in all 17 regular-season games. It sounds like the Ravens plan on keeping Linderbaum beyond this season.

Monday, April 28, 3:48 PM

The Carolina Panthers have announced they'll pick up the fifth-year option on offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu. He'll now be with the team through the 2026 season and garner a fully guaranteed $17.56 million in his fifth season. Carolina drafted the 24-year-old with the sixth-overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Ekwonu has improved in each campaign since entering the league and was solid for Carolina in 2024, albeit a better run-blocker than he was in pass protection. Still, he's been reliable -- starting 49 of a possible 51 games -- missing just two contests last year with an ankle injury. The North Carolina State product will need to improve against the pass rush in order to eventually gain a lucrative contract, but he's been a fine contributor for the Panthers. He will anchor quarterback Bryce Young's blindside once again in 2025.