After months of waiting, the Baltimore Ravens finally have an answer to their center question in Week 1. On Monday, head coach Jesse Minter announced that Jovaughn Gwyn will start in the season opener.
If you asked fans earlier this summer, Gwyn starting would’ve probably been the most unlikely option. However, Danny Pinter tore his patellar tendon, and it sounds like Ethan Pocic hasn’t fully recovered from his Achilles tear yet. That likely fast-tracked Gwyn into a spot where he could win the starting gig.
Gwyn wasted no time impressing in those first team reps. Sure, it was a Week 1 job that was somewhat given to him, but let’s not act like he didn’t earn it. He was on fire in training camp and preseason.
Now, he’ll find himself snapping the ball to Lamar Jackson against the Indianapolis Colts.
Baltimore Ravens will turn to Jovaughn Gwyn as starting center in season opener
All offseason, Baltimore’s center spot was the most debated position. It became an overwhelming need after Tyler Linderbaum signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Ravens missing out on their center of the future in the 2026 NFL Draft added to the questions.
Jovaughn Gwyn will be the answer…for now.
While making the Gwyn announcement during Monday’s press conference, Jesse Minter had a ton of praise for the fourth-year pro. However, he mentioned it’s only a Week 1 decision.
“When opportunity knocks, are you ready to take advantage? [Gwyn’s] done a really good job,” Minter said. “I would say that’s a Week 1 decision, not necessarily a permanent decision…but we got a lot of confidence as a staff in Jovaughn.”
It certainly sounds like Ethan Pocic will be given a chance to push Gwyn back into depth role. He was widely expected to start when he was signed back in July, but the veteran’s injury threw a wrench in that plan. It’ll be Gwyn’s chance to shine.
Gwyn must have a strong outing in what will be his first career start. It’s his opportunity to prove he’s the Week 1 and long-term answer at center.
For Baltimore, it's a risk since Gwyn has just 11 offensive snaps to his name across his three-year career. He’s looked capable over the last month, though. He put together outstanding tape in preseason action, demonstrating competence as a pass blocker and the nastiness you want from every offensive lineman in the run game.
Gwyn also played under offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford for three years before coming to Charm City. In Declan Doyle’s first year calling plays, it’s important to have someone with some familiarity lining up at center, and Gwyn has that with Ledford.
It's a complete mystery as to how Gwyn will look in the regular season. He could be an awesome surprise, or a player enduring expected struggles in his first start. Hopefully Gwyn ends up being the former.
Add us as a preferred source on Google