Is it possible that the Cleveland Browns could have five new offensive line starters this upcoming season? Can they really replace all five guys?
The Browns’ offensive line free agent list tells the accurate story: OG Wyatt Teller, OG Joel Bitonio, C Ethan Pocic, OT Jack Conklin, OG Teven Jenkins, and OT Cam Robinson.
RELATED: FREE AGENCY FRENZY OG DYLAN PARHAM
Conklin is always hurt, Robinson is horrible, Teller already said his goodbyes to the City of Cleveland, most likely Bitonio will retire, Pocic could be re-signed, and Jenkins would become a welcome addition to the roster going forward.
Maybe the answers are already on the current roster. Under contract are LT Dawand Jones, RG Zak Zinter, C Kendrick Green, LT Jeremiah Byers, C Luke Wypler, RT KT Leveston, C Justin Osboure, OG Jack Conley, OT Tyre Phillips, and C Kingsley Eguakun. Conley and Phillips were signed to reserve/futures contracts.
Losing Pocic may or may not become a huge issue. Although he hasn’t been named to a single Pro Bowl or an All-Pro nod during his nine-year NFL career, he has been the rock in the middle of the Browns. His Pro Football Focus grade in 2025 was 63.8, which ranks him #20 out of 40 centers. He only had two penalties and two sacks allowed.
But yet, here he is, a free agent. Can Cleveland GM Andrew Berry still retain his services going forward? Of course. But as of now, he is scheduled to go into this year’s free agency period.
Wypler would become the first candidate for the starting center spot. He has been with the Browns since he was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. He started five games this past season with 272 offensive snaps and has played in 22 NFL games, but he put up poor run blocking grades, had six penalties, and allowed five pressures with zero sacks.
His entire 2024 season was a wash when he suffered an ankle injury during Cleveland’s first preseason game and had surgery, then was placed on season-ending IR.
Is Wypler the answer? What about the other centers on the active roster? Can one of these rise to the occasion in training camp and secure the starting center position?
Or maybe the Browns will need to bring in another seasoned veteran.
Let’s look at what Tyler Linderbaum can offer the Browns.
C Tyler Linderbaum
Baltimore Ravens
NFL draft: 2022 Round 1, pick #25 (Ravens)
PFF ranking: 80.3
Accolades: Two-time First Team All-Big 10 (2020, 2021), Big 10 Offensive Lineman of the Year (2021), Unanimous All-American (2021), Rimington Trophy winner (2021), NFL All-Rookie Team (2022), three-time Pro Bowler (2023, 2024, 2025)
2025 season: 17 starts, 1,008 offensive snaps (99%)
——————————————————————————
Linderbaum played both ways in high school on each side of the line and was a decorated wrestler. He then went to one of the best college programs for offensive linemen at Iowa. He began at defensive tackle, then the next three years he was their starting center. In his senior year, he was named the Big 10 Offensive Lineman of the Year and captured the Rimington Trophy, awarded to the best center in college football. It surprised nobody that he was a first-round draft pick.
He is known for his consistency and how durable he is, rarely missing snaps. In college, he started 36 games in a tough conference.
Signing Linderbaum by the Browns would become a complete home run. The Ravens did not exercise the fifth-year option on him, but the reasons were solely financial, meaning this next contract isn’t going to be cheap. Baltimore wants Linderbaum back. They cite that they can’t afford him.
In this year’s free agency market, Linderbaum is ranked #3 overall behind DE Trey Hendrickson and WR George Pickens. Yeah, he is that good.
This past season, he graded out as the fifth-highest graded center and is still a young man at age 25. He is among the league’s best run blockers with a grade of 83.7. In 2025, he had five penalties, allowed just two sacks, and 26 pressures.
Will the Browns sign him? He ain’t cheap, and the reason why the Ravens aren’t going to re-sign him. They don’t want to deal with that second contract whatsoever.
Of course, Linderbaum played for Cleveland’s new head coach, Todd Monken, who was his OC. So, there is already a connection.
Linderbaum gets out of his stance very quickly and is a real technician. Very mobile and has fluid body control with loose hips. He is a smooth athlete with great footwork.
His wrestling past has taught him leverage and how to hand-fight. He also does not know the definition of quit. Wrestling taught leverage, core strength, and how to maneuver faster.
The Browns may be satisfied with Wypler going into this year’s training camp or one of the other centers under contract. Berry might have in mind to re-sign Pocic, and Po may have it in his view to simply move along.
Cleveland may look at Linderbaum’s expected contract and balk at the numbers, especially being an analytics team. Remember when the Browns cut center J.C. Tretter because he was about to make $10 million?
Linderbaum has gone to three straight Pro Bowls. If the Browns did indeed sign him, the middle of the offensive line is solved for the duration of his four-year deal.