The Baltimore Ravens are obvious winners of the Myles Garrett trade. Anytime your division rival trades a transcendent game-wrecking opponent, you should be smiling ear to ear. On this occasion, the Ravens luck out watching one of the best players that the NFL has ever seen depart for the NFC.
The Cleveland Browns’ decision to deal Garrett came as a massive shock. No one in Baltimore will be complaining, though. He was a thorn in Lamar Jackson’s side, and with his offensive line taking continuous steps back, Garrett could sack the two-time MVP as much as he wanted. Not anymore.
The Ravens’ offensive line is obviously elated about the news, too. In particular, first-round rookie guard Vega Ioane should be breathing a massive sigh of relief that he won’t have to square off against the Garrett-led defensive front. It’ll make his introduction to the NFL that much easier.
Baltimore Ravens’ top rookie may quietly be a big winner of the Myles Garrett move
It can’t be understated how important an addition Vega Ioane was. Baltimore’s guard duo in 2025 was by far the worst in the NFL. They couldn’t keep under-investing at that spot, and in Ioane, they got one of the best guard prospects since Quenton Nelson. That was a huge way to finish the offseason.
Still, no matter how much praise Ioane got throughout the draft process, it’s fair to expect him to hit a steep learning curve. And with Myles Garrett’s versatility initially posing as a threat in two matchups this year, Ioane was staring down two horrifying weeks of the 2026 season. It was the type of clash that would give most rookies nightmares. That’s how good Garrett is, and that puts it into perspective how much of a win the trade is for Ioane.
The Ravens are set to face the Browns in Week 6 and Week 16. For Ioane, instead of having to take the field against a defensive line headed by Garrett, it’s one void of a Hall of Fame-caliber talent. Obviously, Jared Verse is no slouch and will be a problem, and Mason Graham could take a big leap in his second season, but they’ve certainly become a slightly less talented front.
Looking at that matchup in Week 16 in particular, Ioane could be breathing a bit easier by the time that Sunday rolls around. That’s when you can expect first-year players to hit the rookie wall, but it may not hit Ioane like a truck in that game as it would’ve with Garrett. It will also be a huge game as Baltimore fights to get back to the playoffs, and the lack of Garrett on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage will be a welcome sight to see.
Obviously, Ioane still has his work cut out for him. Those AFC North showdowns will be as heated as ever with or without Garrett. Regardless, without the 30-year-old doing what he does as a relentless chess piece on the defensive line, Ioane should have a smoother go of things.
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