The Philadelphia Eagles are sending centre Cam Jurgens and a 2027 seventh round pick to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2027 fifth rounder and a 2028 second round selection on Wednesday.
After watching Tyler Linderbaum head to the Raiders this past spring, Baltimore has been in desperate need of a new centre along their offensive line. Making matters worse, the Ravens have now placed 3 centres on injured reserve since the start of the season and were planning to start rookie guard Olaivavega Ioane at the position this coming weekend.
“Cam is a player we have long admired going all the way back to the draft process,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. “He’s a young foundational piece along our offensive line – a great scheme and cultural fit who will contribute quickly in Baltimore.”
A 2x Pro Bowler, Jurgens has appeared in 62 games (45 starts) with Philadelphia since the team selected him 51st overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. The 27 year old is currently under contract through 2029 after signing a 4 year, $68M contract following his rookie deal.
While Baltimore appears to have solved a glaring need along their offensive line, Philadelphia can hardly say the same. While the picks will help out eventually, the Eagles offensive line has been decimated this week following the Jurgens trade and Lane Johnson’s surprising retirement.
Nevertheless, general manager Howie Roseman told reporters he viewed the deal as a “win-win” move for both teams. “Obviously they’re getting a player that has been a two-time Pro Bowl centre for us, and for us, being able to get the picks we were able to get and use that money also to sign players” he told reporters.
Philadelphia figures to now deploy a front five of Jordan Mailata (LT), Willie Lampkin (LG), Drew Kendall (C), Tyler Steen (RG), and rookie Markell Bell (RT). Fellow rookie Micah Morris is likely to mix into things on a rotational basis, as will tackle Fred Johnson who appeared in all 17 games for Philadelphia last season, including 8 starts.
Roseman did allude to the cap savings that Philadelphia will now have in his most recent media availability, which gives the impression that the Eagles could be looking to make some additional moves this season. At a minimum, it will reshape the team’s offseason approach to both the draft and NFL free agency.
The Eagles will be heading overseas to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend in a 9:30am ET showdown in London, while the Ravens will take on the Atlanta Falcons in a Sunday Night Football primetime affair.
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