Cam Jurgens has been traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Baltimore Ravens, with the two-time Pro Bowl centre heading to Baltimore a day after Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson retired.
Both clubs announced the deal on Wednesday 7 October (US time), shortly after 4am AEDT on Thursday 8 October. The Eagles said they had agreed to send Jurgens and a 2027 seventh-round pick to Baltimore for a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick, pending a physical. The Ravens, NFL.com and ESPN listed the same picks.
Why the Eagles let him go
Jurgens, a 2022 second-round pick out of Nebraska, took over at centre after Jason Kelce retired and made the Pro Bowl after the 2024 and 2025 seasons, according to the Eagles. He moved to left guard after the season opener when Landon Dickerson went on injured reserve, with Drew Kendall taking over at centre.
“We weren’t looking to move Cam,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said, as reported by NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Over the last 24 hours it got to the point where we felt like it could be a win-win for them obviously getting a player who was a two-time Pro Bowl center for us.”
Citing the picks, the salary saved and Kendall’s form, he added: “Plus, the money, plus Drew playing, we felt like we were getting four players for one.”
It is another change to Philadelphia’s offensive line after Lane Johnson announced his retirement on Tuesday 6 October (US time).
Back to centre in Baltimore
The Ravens have been searching for a centre since Tyler Linderbaum joined the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. With Danny Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic all on injured reserve, rookie Olaivavega Ioane moved from guard to centre. The club said Jurgens will play centre, with Ioane returning to right guard.
“Cam is a player we have long admired going all the way back to the draft process,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said. “He’s a young foundational piece along our offensive line – a great scheme and cultural fit who will contribute quickly in Baltimore.”
Jurgens is in the NFL’s concussion protocol after self-reporting symptoms, ESPN reported. Ioane is expected to start at centre against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night (US time), ESPN said, and the Ravens, citing Adam Schefter, said Jurgens is expected to debut the following week against the Cleveland Browns. He is under contract through 2029 on a four-year, US$68 million extension.
Kelce backs his successor
Kelce, who NFL.com said helped identify Jurgens as his ideal replacement, said on The Pat McAfee Show he was “excited for him to get back to playing center”, The Big Lead reported.
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