Ravens have huge $28 million problem entering free agency

The offseason for new Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter is already going to be a tough one because of Lamar Jackson's contract.

Set to count $74.5 million against the cap, Jackson's contract has to be sorted out.

But that's not all.

Minter also has to figure out, with the help of his front office, what to do with stud center Tyler Linderbaum. After declining his fifth-year option, the path forward in keeping Tyler a Raven is a rather expensive one.

How expensive? CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones details it.

"Centers, guards and tackles are grouped together, producing a tag close to $28 million," Jones wrote.

"That's amazing if you're a team with an All-Pro left tackle staring at free agency; it's less amazing if you're the Baltimore Ravens trying to retain center Tyler Linderbaum when the top of that market isn't even $20 million annually."

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Lamar could define Ravens' offseason

The big reason that Jackson could be is if his contract situation struggles to get sorted out.

And if we are being honest, he and the Ravens only have a couple of weeks to get it fixed because free agency begins. And the Ravens won't have much money to spend on improving the team with Jackson's cap hit.

And that might mean Linderbaum is lost to free agency, and Lamar will need a new center. That isn't ideal.

But given the current situation, cap-wise, the Ravens are in a tough spot.

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