The Baltimore Ravens may have acquired Ryan Neuzil, but that doesn’t change anything about Cam Jurgens’ future with the team. Jurgens is still the guy at center.
Neuzil comes in as a backup lineman who was a solid center for the Atlanta Falcons this year. Baltimore traded Andrew Vorhees and a conditional 2028 sixth-round pick in exchange for Neuzil. Despite that performance, there won’t be a world where he challenges for Jurgens’ job.
Jesse Minter made that clear on Wednesday.
“[Neuzil] brings versatility,” Minter said. “I don’t anticipate any move changing with Cam and what position he plays, and we think he’s the future of our offensive line. It’s just a piece that adds depth; I do think he’ll have some position flexibility.”
With Jurgens’ ability to play guard and John Simpson’s inability at left guard in 2026, some wondered whether the Ravens would move pieces around to create what they think is the best unit possible.
Jurgens will be the center, though.
Baltimore Ravens won’t be moving Cam Jurgens from starting center spot
Cam Jurgens is playing well. While blatant communication problems have plagued the offensive front, his play through his first three starts in Baltimore has been relatively strong. There’s no reason to move that player out of the starting center.
The Ravens also traded a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick for Jurgens. He’s their future, no question. After losing all three centers to long-term injuries, it was an aggressive trade they had to make, and it looks like it’ll pay off now and in the future.
Fortunately, Jurgens is under contract through 2029, too. His cap hits are very favorable, sitting under $10 million for the next two seasons and $12 million in 2029. That’s an affordable, secure deal that Baltimore should have absolutely zero qualms about.
As for Ryan Neuzil, he’s a quality backup. The Ravens didn't really have that before he arrived.
The team dealt with interior offensive line injuries to Jovaughn Gwyn, Ethan Pocic, and Vega Ioane, which forced Emery Jones Jr. and Andrew Vorhees into action. Jones and Vorhees were net negatives in their reps, making the Neuzil acquisition a quiet priority.
As Minter said, Neuzil can provide versatility. He was a superb guard in college, and has translated into a pretty decent center in five NFL seasons.
On Wednesday, Neuzil mentioned he’s ready to play wherever Baltimore needs him.
“[I can play] wherever they need me to be,” Neuzil said. “I'm not sure of the plan right now. I’m here to just get better and fill in wherever they need me to.”
It sounds like Neuzil could play that Swiss Army Knife role along the interior and be the go-to backup. Jones and Vorhees failed to step up when called upon; maybe Neuzil can do better.
Hopefully Baltimore won’t need him, and they finally find some offensive line certainty in the second half. However, with all the injuries and the pass-protection issues, it’s always great to have a backup plan.
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