Baltimore Ravens Boost Secondary Adding Gilman, Gardner-Johnson Amid Defensive Struggles

The Baltimore Ravens have made significant moves to bolster their struggling defense, especially the secondary, which has been hit hard by injuries and poor performance. They signed veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the practice squad and traded former first-round pick Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers for safety Alohi Gilman and a draft pick, freeing up around $7 million in cap space. Gardner-Johnson, known for his vocal and physical playstyle, has moved frequently in recent years and joins the Ravens after a short stint with the Texans; he brings experience but has faced some challenges this season. Alohi Gilman, a solid contributor since entering the league in 2020, is expected to provide veteran leadership and support in both run defense and coverage, especially with key players like Kyle Hamilton injured. These additions come as the Ravens rank near the bottom of the league in yards and points allowed per game, signaling a desperate need for defensive improvement. The team hopes these reinforcements will help stabilize a depleted secondary and improve overall defensive competitiveness.