Guys, it’s here. It’s Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
The projections, the position battles, the narratives, throw it all out the window. On Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium and it is finally live.
Jake, Spenny and I took the weekend off to recharge our batteries, and the Ravens took a break as well. On Monday, Jesse Minter came to the podium and dropped some very interesting comments. Let’s get caught up and let’s get ready for real football.
Jovaughn Gwyn Named the Starting Center
We finally have an answer at center.
Jesse Minter announced Monday that Jovaughn Gwyn will start against the Colts over Ethan Pocic.
At least for Week 1.
Minter was pretty deliberate about that distinction. Gwyn is starting Sunday, but this didn’t sound like the Ravens declaring the competition over for the season.
Obviously, Pocic coming back from the torn Achilles complicated this entire thing. There was only so much of a competition they could actually have when one of the guys spent most of the summer working his way back.
But they had to make a decision for Indianapolis, and it’s Gwyn.
The big question is: Was this the right decision? In short: yes.
Gwyn performed well in the preseason, including getting some run with the 1’s after Danny Pinter went down. He came into camp as a complete unknown with very limited tape, but stacked reps and put together three rock-solid games.
His ability on combination blocks and in zone concepts is a natural fit for Ledford’s zone and duo-dominant run scheme, which highlights why he was so high on the former Falcon. The big question is whether his pass protection can stay consistent over a bigger sample.
Pocic is still working his way back from a serious injury, so this gives Dwayne Ledford and Declan Doyle a chance to see what Gwyn actually has. More importantly, they have an established Plan B. If Gwyn doesn’t cut it, Pocic has been there in the AFC North and can step in — something they didn’t have at guard last year.
Major kudos to Gwyn. I didn’t even think he’d make the final 53, and now he’s the starting center. What a summer for the young lad!
Madubuike and Buchanan Aren't Ruled Out
This was probably the thing that caught my attention most Monday.
We’ve known Nnamdi Madubuike was getting closer. The Ravens keeping both Madubuike and Teddye Buchanan on the initial 53 instead of putting them on IR told us they expected both guys to have a chance to return within the first four weeks.
What I didn’t know was whether Week 1 was actually realistic.
Asked about Madubuike, Minter said:
“He’s been involved more and more just about every day.”
Madubuike is expected to get some team work this week, and when Minter was given the chance to completely shut down the possibility of him playing Sunday, he didn’t.
“I wouldn’t rule any of those guys out for Week 1.”
