The New York Giants are entering the 2026 offseason with a clear mission: reset, rebuild, and return to relevance. And they’ve taken a big first step by hiring John Harbaugh as their new head coach - a move that instantly adds credibility and stability to a franchise that’s been searching for both.
Harbaugh brings a Super Bowl ring and a proven track record from his time in Baltimore, where his teams were consistently competitive, disciplined, and tough in the trenches. That last part - winning in the trenches - is especially relevant right now, because if there’s one area the Giants absolutely need to shore up, it’s the interior of their offensive line.
Enter Tyler Linderbaum.
The 24-year-old center has spent the last four seasons anchoring the middle of the Ravens’ offensive line, and he’s done it at a high level. In 2025, Linderbaum posted an 80.3 grade from Pro Football Focus - fifth-best among all qualified centers.
He’s durable, too, having missed just two games in his career. That kind of consistency and production is exactly what the Giants have been missing up front.
There’s already buzz connecting Linderbaum to New York, and it’s not hard to see why. Harbaugh knows him well, coached him in Baltimore, and reportedly is open to bringing some familiar faces with him to the Meadowlands. If the Giants are serious about building a more physical identity - and protecting whoever lines up under center next season - Linderbaum would be a foundational piece.
Currently, John Michael Schmitz Jr. holds the starting center job in New York, but his 2025 campaign left a lot to be desired. He earned a 60.5 PFF grade, was flagged four times, and gave up a sack - not catastrophic numbers, but not what you want from the heart of your offensive line. If the Giants want to take a leap forward, upgrading that position is a logical place to start.
Of course, Linderbaum won’t come cheap. Spotrac projects his next deal to be in the ballpark of four years, $72 million - that’s $18 million annually, a hefty price tag for a center.
But if you’re going to invest big money in the offensive line, it better be for someone who can anchor the unit for years to come. Linderbaum fits that mold.
There’s also the Harbaugh factor. Relationships matter in this league, and if there’s any chance Linderbaum would take a slight discount to reunite with his former coach, the Giants would be wise to explore it. With young offensive talent like Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers on the rise, the Giants are in a position to build something real - but only if the offensive line gives them a chance to grow.
This offseason is shaping up to be a pivotal one for Big Blue. The hiring of Harbaugh was a statement.
Now the front office has to back it up with smart, aggressive moves. Bringing in a proven center like Linderbaum wouldn’t just be a reunion - it would be a serious step toward building the kind of offense that can actually compete in the NFC East.