Something I thought of today regarding free agency. In a world where Ragnow never retired, he would be entering the 2026 season at age 30 in the final year of his contract. He would be up for an extension this offseason.
In that scenario, assuming he didn't majorly fall off a cliff in performance, I don't think anyone would bat an eye at a market setting three-year / $63MM deal, right in the ballpark of what Linderbaum is probably asking. Am I crazy?
I'm not a "the cap is fake" guy. And I don't think the Lions are best served getting into a bidding war for Linderbaum if a team wants to throw $25MM+ APY at him. But with two rookie-contract guards and a LT likely retiring after this season, I also think the Lions do have some money to work with (after restructuring Goff), if they want to be players for Linderbaum or trade for Crosby.