How can you not love what Vega Ioane did in Week 4? The Baltimore Ravens needed him badly, and he showed up. He made the switch from guard to center, and his first career start at the spot looked really solid.
It was a massive challenge for Ioane. He barely had any experience at center in his football career, but in Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans, he looked ready for the moment. It screams the type of player he is — it doesn’t matter the situation, he’s going to prepare as much as possible and give it his best. And he passed this weekend’s test with flying colors.
Between his attitude, preparation, and ability, Ioane has it all. It may have been a rough first two weeks for the former Penn State Nittany Lion, but recently, he’s looking like the guy everyone in Baltimore was excited for coming into 2026.
Vega Ioane is becoming a game-changer along the Baltimore Ravens’ interior offensive line
All offseason, it was clear the way Vega Ioane carried himself was next level. He was showered with praise from both players and the coaching staff, with many saying he looked like a seasoned vet in camp. He even prepared for the disaster scenario that ended up coming to be, taking snaps at center back in early September.
Now, it’s starting to pay off in the regular season.
Ioane faced one of the best in the world in Week 4. Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons is among the top forces guards and centers will be tasked with stopping. With the unfamiliarity at center, it was fair to expect Ioane to endure growing pains against such a player.
The thing is…Ioane stopped Simmons right in his tracks.
In nine matchups against Simmons, Ioane held him to zero pressures, per NFL Next Gen Stats. That’s right. Not a single pressure for the four-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, and third-highest-paid interior defensive lineman against a rookie in his first start at center.
It was a very strong performance from Ioane. He held his own as a pass blocker and did well enough snapping the football, especially given the dreary conditions late in the game. There were really only two snaps that looked low and off target.
Head coach Jesse Minter was encouraged, too. In his postgame press conference, he gave Ioane a positive review.
“I thought he probably did some really good things,” Minter said. We’re always chasing improvement, but for [Ioane] to do what he did with a week’s worth of work, a major credit to him. And I bet you the film will probably look pretty good from his regard.”
Minter did mention he wants the offensive line as a whole to be more consistent. The unit’s struggles to create lanes for Derrick Henry up the middle and keep Lamar Jackson’s pocket clean remained in this one.
Still, the progress from Ioane and the rest of the line was apparent. There were certainly some strides taken, and given the state of the offensive front, the showing was honestly way better than many expected.
Ioane obviously had a huge part in that. If he can keep leveling up the way he is, the Ravens might have the star they need in the trenches sooner rather than later.
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