Ethan Pocic Agrees to One-Year Deal With Ravens
Ethan Pocic, a 30-year-old center, has signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal, reported to have a maximum value of $4.5 million, marks Pocic’s move to replace Tyler Linderbaum, who left the Ravens for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Pocic, who was medically cleared for training camp in the summer of 2026, joins a Ravens offensive line retooled this offseason.
Context of the Signing
The Ravens’ decision to sign Pocic follows their loss of Linderbaum, a three-time Pro Bowl center who was considered one of the league’s best. Over the past four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, Pocic started 57 games, though he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 13 of the 2025 season. The injury occurred during a 3-yard loss by Quinshon Judkins in a game against the Tennessee Titans, forcing him to miss the final months of the season. Pocic, who turns 31 next month, has 97 career starts across nine NFL seasons. His most recent stint with the Browns began after being signed as a free agent in 2022. Prior to that, he spent five seasons with the Seattle Seahawks (2017–2021), starting 40 of 57 games. His career includes a 2023 three-year, $18 million contract with the Browns, which expired in March 2026.
Ravens’ Center Competition
Pocic joins a group of candidates vying for the starting center role, including Danny Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn, and Corey Bullock. Pinter, a former Indianapolis Colts player, has 10 career starts over five seasons, while Gwyn and Bullock have never started an NFL game. Pocic’s experience as a starter—having started at least 10 games in seven of his nine seasons—positions him as the most seasoned option. The Ravens’ offensive line has undergone significant changes this offseason. Veteran John Simpson was signed as a guard, and first-round draft pick Vega Ioane was selected to anchor the right guard position. A source told Schefter that Pocic is “full go” for training camp, but his performance will determine whether he secures the starting role.
Implications for the Ravens
Pocic has not played a full season since 2019, and his 2025 campaign ended prematurely due to the Achilles tear. Analysts noted that while Pocic’s experience is an asset, the competition among internal candidates—particularly Pinter and rookie Parker Brailsford—will shape the final roster decisions.
Pocic’s Career and Injury History
Pocic’s career has been marked by resilience. Drafted by the Seahawks in the second round (58th overall) in 2017, he built a reputation as a reliable, if unspectacular, blocker. His four seasons with the Browns saw him become a key figure in the offensive line, though his 2025 season was cut short by injury. The Achilles tear in December 2025 was his second major injury in recent years. In 2022, he missed time with a knee injury, though he returned to start 18 games that season. His medical clearance for the 2026 season, confirmed by multiple sources, suggests the Ravens view him as a viable option.
