News & Notes: With Fifth-Year Options Set, Here’s What It Would Cost to Keep Kyle Hamilton And Tyler Linderbaum

As the NFL season continues its march toward the 2025 campaign, all 32 teams are assessing their rosters, planning their draft strategies, and preparing for the financial decisions that come with retaining their core players. One of the most significant decisions a team faces during the offseason involves whether to exercise the fifth-year option on their first-round draft picks. This option, introduced as part of the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, allows teams to extend the contract of a player selected in the first round for an additional season, which can provide valuable flexibility in managing a roster and cap space. However, the decision to exercise this option also comes with significant financial implications, as the fifth-year salary is determined by the player’s position and their performance in the league thus far.

For the Baltimore Ravens, the two most pressing fifth-year option decisions come down to Kyle Hamilton, the standout safety selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and Tyler Linderbaum, the talented center who also joined the team in 2022. Both players have shown promise and potential, and their respective fifth-year options are among the key offseason decisions that will shape the Ravens’ long-term roster planning.

The Fifth-Year Option: A Quick Overview

The fifth-year option is available to first-round picks, and it allows teams to extend their contracts by an additional season at a set salary. For most players, the fifth-year salary is determined based on the transition tag at their position for that year. For quarterbacks, the salary is based on the average of the top 10 highest-paid quarterbacks in the league, while for all other positions, it is based on the average of the top 10 salaries at that position.

The fifth-year option is not guaranteed unless it’s exercised, and the cost of the option can vary significantly depending on the player’s performance. Players selected in the first 10 picks of the draft are generally paid more for their fifth-year options than those picked later in the round, with the contracts being structured in a way that reflects the player’s perceived value and marketability.

For the Ravens, Hamilton and Linderbaum both fit the bill of players worth considering for this option due to their performances and potential for the team’s future success.

Kyle Hamilton: The Safety with Big Potential

Kyle Hamilton, the Ravens’ 14th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, entered the league with a reputation as one of the most complete safeties in recent memory. His blend of size, athleticism, and football IQ had scouts excited about his potential to become a star in the NFL. Despite the usual learning curve that comes with transitioning to the pros, Hamilton quickly established himself as a key component of the Ravens’ secondary, showcasing both his playmaking ability and his leadership qualities.

Hamilton’s rookie season featured significant growth and impressive performances. He posted 3 interceptions, 5 passes defended, and over 60 total tackles in 17 games, demonstrating his versatility and ability to contribute both as a deep safety and in run support. His size (6’4″, 220 pounds) and ability to cover a wide range of the field made him an asset in both man and zone coverage schemes. As the season progressed, Hamilton showed that he could be a cornerstone for the Ravens’ defense for years to come.

Given Hamilton’s potential, the Ravens will likely exercise his fifth-year option, which would extend his contract for the 2026 season. For safeties drafted in the first round, the fifth-year option tends to be a substantial commitment, though it’s typically not as high as that of other premier positions like quarterback or wide receiver.

In 2025, the estimated cost of Hamilton’s fifth-year option would be around $13.1 million, based on the transition tag for safeties that year. This salary is a reflection of Hamilton’s projected role in the league and his standing as a potential star in the defensive backfield. Given the Ravens’ success in drafting and developing young talent on defense, keeping Hamilton for an additional season is likely a no-brainer, particularly if he continues to develop into one of the league’s top safeties.

The Ravens have long relied on their defense to remain competitive, and with players like Hamilton, who has the potential to become a perennial Pro Bowl player, they will likely look to secure him for at least one more season to assess his trajectory. The fifth-year option provides the team with the flexibility to keep Hamilton for an extra season without committing to a long-term extension immediately, which is beneficial for both sides in the event that Hamilton’s performance continues to exceed expectations.

Tyler Linderbaum: The Center Who Could Anchor the Offensive Line for Years

Tyler Linderbaum, the Ravens’ 25th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, entered the league with a reputation as one of the top center prospects in recent memory. A consensus All-American at Iowa, Linderbaum’s combination of athleticism, technique, and toughness was a perfect fit for the Ravens’ offensive line philosophy. After stepping into the starting role in his rookie season, Linderbaum showed that he could be the anchor of the Ravens’ offensive line for years to come.

In his first year, Linderbaum exhibited an impressive understanding of the game and was particularly effective in the running game, where his ability to pull and block on the move was on full display. Linderbaum’s pass protection also showed great promise, and while he occasionally faced challenges in adjusting to the speed of the NFL game, his performance in both the run and pass game indicated that he was a future star at the center position.

Much like Hamilton, Linderbaum is a player the Ravens would likely want to retain for the long term. Exercising the fifth-year option on Linderbaum’s contract is an attractive choice because it provides the team with another year to evaluate his development and adjust to potential salary cap changes in future seasons. As a center, Linderbaum’s fifth-year option would be calculated based on the average of the top 10 salaries at his position, which typically falls in the mid-range for offensive linemen.

For 2025, the projected cost of Linderbaum’s fifth-year option would be around $13.7 million, making him one of the higher-paid centers in the NFL for that year. While this number is a significant financial commitment, it is reasonable given Linderbaum’s performance to date and his potential to become one of the league’s best centers. Given how crucial the center position is to an offense, particularly one that relies heavily on the running game as the Ravens’ offense does, Linderbaum’s fifth-year option would allow the team to maintain stability at the position for another season without committing to a long-term extension.

Like Hamilton, Linderbaum’s future with the team will depend on his continued development. If he continues to improve as a pass protector and further refines his skills, a long-term extension could be in the works, potentially locking him in as the Ravens’ starting center for the next decade. However, the fifth-year option gives both the player and the team more time to assess his trajectory and figure out a deal that works for both parties.

Why Exercising Fifth-Year Options is Important for the Ravens

For a team like the Ravens, known for its ability to draft and develop talent, exercising the fifth-year options on Hamilton and Linderbaum provides a level of financial flexibility while also ensuring that the team retains key players who can contribute to its long-term success. The fifth-year option allows the team to keep both players under contract for at least one more season without rushing into a long-term deal. This provides both sides with more time to assess their respective value and performance before committing to a multi-year contract.

Moreover, these decisions are significant because of the Ravens’ overall salary cap structure. The team is typically disciplined in managing its cap space, and exercising the fifth-year options for Hamilton and Linderbaum allows the Ravens to lock in important players at relatively predictable costs, especially compared to the volatility of free agency. This approach helps the team maintain flexibility and continue to build around a core group of talented players.

For the players, the fifth-year option serves as an opportunity to prove their worth and potentially set themselves up for lucrative long-term contracts. Both Hamilton and Linderbaum have the talent to warrant substantial extensions if they continue to play at a high level, but the fifth-year option gives them another season to showcase their skills before entering into the final stages of their rookie contracts.

The Impact on the Ravens’ Future

Exercising the fifth-year options on Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum will have a significant impact on the Ravens’ future. Both players have been important additions to the roster and have the potential to become stars in their respective positions. Keeping them under contract for the 2025 season will allow the Ravens to assess their growth and determine whether to commit to long-term extensions.

In the case of Hamilton, the Ravens’ defense has relied on the playmaking ability of safeties, and he could easily emerge as one of the league’s premier players at his position. Linderbaum, as the foundation of the offensive line, is vital to the Ravens’ running game and pass protection. With both players being relatively young and showing promising signs of development, their future in Baltimore looks bright.

Ultimately, the decision to exercise their fifth-year options offers the Ravens the ability to keep these key players under contract while also maintaining financial flexibility. This approach gives the team more time to evaluate their long-term value before making any final decisions, ensuring that the Ravens continue to build for both the present and the future.