The Baltimore Ravens’ injuries at center have turned a previously unsuccessful call to the Chicago Bears into a more relevant roster question. The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec reported that Baltimore inquired about center Garrett Bradbury after the draft, and the veteran now stands out as an established option while the Ravens prepare rookie guard Vega Ioane for a sudden move to center.
Zrebiec reported that Chicago declined to move Bradbury because it wanted to preserve its offensive-line depth after drafting Logan Jones in the second round.
Locked On Ravens host Kevin Oestreicher described the inquiry as significant because Baltimore no longer has the luxury of treating center as a developmental problem. Bradbury would bring experience, but a trade would depend on the Bears changing their stance and accepting an offer that makes sense for a player currently atop their depth chart.
Ravens centers Jovaughn Gwyn (ankle) and Ethan Pocic (knee) suffered long-term injuries in the Week 3 win over Dallas, after Danny Pinter had already sustained a season-ending knee injury during training camp. Ioane entered against the Cowboys and is taking center reps ahead of the Week 4 game against the Tennessee Titans, placing a first-round rookie in the most vital position on the line.
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said keeping Ioane at center on a more permanent basis is “on the table” while the team works toward its best five linemen. Andrew Vorhees and Emery Jones Jr. are the internal candidates to fill the right-guard vacancy if Ioane stays in the middle.
Baltimore also added center Andre James and guard Kyle Hergel to its practice squad, improving its insurance but not guaranteeing an immediate answer. Led by defensive tackles Jeffery Simmons and John Franklin-Myers, the Titans present a demanding first test for Ioane’s transition.
The Ravens can use this week to evaluate whether Ioane’s versatility offers a workable short-term answer or whether the center injuries require a more aggressive move. Bradbury remains an example of the type of veteran help Baltimore had previously explored, but Ioane’s performance against Tennessee could shape how urgently the club revisits the trade market.
