At the 2026 NFL trade deadline, the Baltimore Ravens were in a bit of a tricky spot. While they acquired Jacoby Brissett a few days before the deadline to fix a major issue, their overall plans were in limbo due to the team’s shaky status.
They really couldn’t commit as buyers or sellers. However, right at the buzzer of the trade deadline, the Ravens made a move, and it’s a strange one.
According to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic, the Ravens are trading for Atlanta Falcons‘ starting center Ryan Neuzil. Why are the Ravens making this move despite their previous trade for Cam Jurgens? It’s a great question that Ravens fans might not like the answer to.
Why Ravens are trading for Ryan Neuzil from Falcons
“Trades aren’t done yet! The Falcons are trading C Ryan Neuzil for Ravens G Andrew Vorhees and a 2028 6th round pick, a source tells @TheAthletic,” Jones reports.
This is a very odd trade for the Ravens, as they’re spending real draft capital and sending a young lineman to the Falcons for someone they might not actually need.
Neuzil has been the starting center for the Falcons this season, though he has experience playing at offensive guard. The only way this trade makes sense is if the Ravens move one of Jurgens or Neuzil to a guard spot.
But making this kind of move is a strange one for the Ravens, as they really didn’t need to make this trade considering their playoff hopes are likely moot without Jackson.
Even though Brissett could keep this team alive, the AFC playoff picture isn’t favorable for the Ravens, and any capital spent on trying to make this current team competitive is questionable.
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If Neuzil were someone the Ravens could have long-term, like Jurgens, it could make sense. But Neuzil’s a free agent after this season, which makes the trade look all the more odd.
There is another unfortunate reality with this trade: Jurgens might be hurt. If the Ravens are trading for a starting center, it would stand to reason that Jurgens might not be healthy.
He has dealt with back issues the past two seasons, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he wasn’t at 100%. He missed time due to a concussion earlier this season as well, when he was still with the Philadelphia Eagles.
This trade doesn’t have a clear explanation, but the Ravens are sure to address why they made this move soon. For now, it’s an odd decision that could help raise the floor of this struggling offensive line in 2026.
