The Baltimore Ravens have made significant moves this offseason. They boosted their pass rush with Trey Hendrickson, added physicality at guard with Vega Ioane and John Simpson, refreshed the coaching staff under Jesse Minter, and doubled down on a tougher team identity. Yet, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, a glaring gap remains: the team’s starting center may not currently be on the roster.
The departure of three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum has left a sizable void in the middle of the offensive line. Replacing him is no small task—centers do far more than snap the ball. They coordinate protections, read defensive fronts, adjust blocking schemes, and serve as the line’s nerve center. Their impact is immense, and Baltimore has yet to find a full solution.
While the Ravens have improved elsewhere, pretending the issue is solved would be overly optimistic. Hensley suggests that the best option might already be on the roster, but if internal competition doesn’t produce a reliable answer, a trade makes sense. The front office, led by Eric DeCosta, has a history of bold moves—they pivoted aggressively from the failed Maxx Crosby pursuit to land Trey Hendrickson. DeCosta is not known for sitting idle when obvious roster holes remain.
Baltimore’s overall talent level screams “contender.” Lamar Jackson is in his prime, Derrick Henry still punishes defenses, Zay Flowers is on the rise, and the defense looks nastier under new leadership. But stability directly in front of the franchise quarterback is non-negotiable. Internal competition may still yield a solution, but if Hensley’s hunch proves correct, the Ravens’ most important offseason addition could still be wearing another team’s jersey.
If DeCosta determines the right answer isn’t already in the building, no one should be surprised if Baltimore makes one final aggressive move before Week 1. A championship-caliber roster rarely lets such an obvious weakness linger, especially when it involves protecting Lamar Jackson.