After losing five centers to free agency, waivers and injuries this year, the Ravens took a big turn Tuesday afternoon and acquired Cam Jurgens from the Eagles in exchange for a second-round pick.
The two sides also swapped Day 3 picks to balance the deal, which surprised many in the NFL. General Manager of the Ravens Eric DeCosta is generally reluctant to move premium draft capital, while competitive teams almost never trade starting offensive linemen.
Indeed, the Eagles originally had no intention of trading Jurgens, but Baltimore’s desperate need for center help shifted their offer to one Philadelphia couldn’t refuse.
“We weren’t looking to move Cam” General Manager of the Eagles Howie Roseman explained (via Zach Berman of The Athletic). “Obviously the Ravens were looking for a center… They were kind of told it wasn’t something we were looking to do. Over the last 24 hours, we got to the point where we felt like it could be a win-win for them.”
Roseman also referenced the team’s comfort with the second-year center Drew Kendallwho has started the last three games, and other contract situations on the defensive side of the ball as other factors in the decision. Once a second-round pick was involved – a rarity for an interior offensive lineman – the Eagles made the deal.
Roseman cautioned that the move did not indicate the Eagles were selling this season and drew a distinction between the Jurgens trade and the sudden removal of the right tackle. Lane Johnson.
“What happened with Lane is in a separate bucket here,” Roseman said (via EJ Smith of PHLY Sports). “Then you have to make a decision, okay, how valuable is this, how can this help us move forward? As for the team this year, the expectations are high for the team this year. It’s very early in the season.” Roseman also indicated that the Eagles are optimistic about pairing Kendall with left guard. Landon Dickersononce back in the starting lineup.
Jurgens, meanwhile, will wait until Week 6 to make his Ravens debut. He passed his physical on Wednesday – a significant mark for Baltimore considering the Max Crosby debacle – but remains in the concussion protocol, preventing him from integrating into Declan DoyleThis is an infraction. This will likely keep the rookie Vega Ioane center and 2024 third-round pick Emery Jones at right guard Sunday night against the Falcons. Jurgens’ insertion into the unit will return Ioane to her natural position. The new group may take time to form, but the importance of stabilizing Baltimore’s central play has never been more evident with Lamar Jackson sidelined by an ankle injury. Jurgens is also under contract through 2029, so for the first time in several, the Ravens could return their entire starting offensive line in 2027.
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