They didn’t replace All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum during the 2026 NFL draft, largely because the Chicago Bears beat them to a prime candidate, but the Baltimore Ravens are urged to turn to the NFC North outfit for help over the ball, help they can acquire with a “logical trade” for a Super Bowl starter.
It’s an idea floated by Mike Sando of the Athletic, who spoke with unnamed team executives about the Ravens’ latest draft class. Naturally, the issue of who plays center came up, prompting Sando to point out “Garrett Bradbury, acquired by Chicago from New England this offseason, would be a logical trade target if the Bears like what they see from Jones, the center they drafted in the second round. Bradbury played at NC State when current Ravens offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford coached the position for the Wolfpack.”
The connection between Bradbury and the new Ravens coaching staff is stronger than the veteran’s hold on a roster spot in Chicago. Particularly after the Bears drafted former Iowa pivot Logan Jones with the 57th-overall pick.
Jones being taken off the board so soon caught Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta by surprise. It’s left the Ravens scrambling for solutions at a key spot.
Striking a deal for proven commodity Bradbury, who started for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX and was only traded to the Bears for a fifth-round pick back in March, can solve the problem created by DeCosta not paying three-time Pro Bowler Linderbaum.
Garrett Bradbury Trade Worth Waiting For
The Ravens would need to wait and hope to see the Bears deem Jones good enough to make Bradbury surplus to requirements. As one anonymous exec told Sando, “Baltimore is going to let everybody who can snap the ball try. That would not be a bad trade. If I’m Chicago, I would not trade him until I know what I have with Logan Jones and know he is the guy.”
Bradbury has the credentials to be a credible post-Linderbaum starter in Baltimore. He’s a 30-year-old with seven years experience of doing battle in the trenches at the pro level, and is coming off a solid campaign with the Pats.
What should interest the Ravens the most is how Bradbury played 1,070 snaps over the ball for 2025’s AFC champions and didn’t allow a single sack. That’s according to Pro Football Focus, with the site also crediting Bradbury with zero penalties.
This level of efficiency, combined with Bradbury’s experience playing for key coaching arrival Ledford, makes this a trade scenario DeCosta can’t ignore. Even though he quickly moved to sign a natural center after the draft.
Ravens Keeping Center Options Fluid Post-Draft
The dust had barely settled on this year’s draft and the Ravens were signing a former team captain with a ton of experience at center. This post-draft addition being a college teammate of top pick, guard Vega Ioane, made more sense of the deal.
DeCosta favoring Ioane in Round 1 made sense, with another executive telling Sando the 14th player drafted is a “Really good, good player — probably the best guard in the draft.”
Unfortunately, there’s nobody of similar talent to anchor the offensive line, so DeCosta is keeping things fluid in his search for new options after Linderbaum cashed in and joined the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency.
The current choices are less than inspiring, including ex-Indianapolis Colts backup Danny Pinter. Going without an established presence at this vital spot could undermine rookie Ioane and franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson.
DeCosta doesn’t need to take those risks if he can talk the Bears into quickly parting company with Bradbury. Perhaps for the same level of draft compensation they sent to New England.
Ravens Urged to Make ‘Logical Trade’ to Replace Tyler Linderbaum