Ravens Sign Veteran Center Ethan Pocic to One-Year Deal
The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran center Ethan Pocic, according to reports. The agreement, which was confirmed by the club on Friday, is pending a physical and comes as the team looks to address a vacancy at the center position ahead of the upcoming season. While the Ravens have not officially disclosed the financial terms of the contract, sources told NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that the deal has a maximum value of $4.5 million.
Addressing the Center Vacancy
Pocic’s arrival in Baltimore follows the departure of three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, who left the Ravens to join the Las Vegas Raiders during free agency. The Ravens have spent the offseason retooling their interior offensive line, having previously signed veteran John Simpson to play left guard and selecting Vega Ioane in the first round to serve as the starting right guard. Before the addition of Pocic, the Ravens’ depth at center consisted of Danny Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn, and Corey Bullock. Among those three, only Pinter has NFL starting experience, having recorded 10 career starts across his five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. In contrast, Pocic brings significant veteran experience to the Baltimore roster.
Career Background and Recovery
Pocic, who turns 31 next month, was originally selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent his first five seasons in Seattle, appearing in 57 games and recording 40 starts. He subsequently joined the Cleveland Browns as a free agent in 2022, where he started 57 games over the past four seasons. His tenure in Cleveland saw him serve as a consistent presence on the interior line, though his 2025 campaign ended prematurely. During a Week 14 game against the Tennessee Titans last December, Pocic suffered a torn left Achilles. The injury occurred early in the fourth quarter and required him to be carted off the field. Following the injury, Pocic became a free agent after his contract with the Browns voided on March 15. He has since undergone a medical recovery process and has been cleared to participate in training camp. Sources indicated to ESPN that Pocic is considered “full go” for the team’s upcoming camp sessions, which begin at the end of July.
Training Camp Competition
Despite his extensive resume, Pocic is expected to enter a competitive environment in Baltimore. The team has signaled that the starting job will be determined through an open competition during training camp.
Comparison of Center Candidates
| Player | NFL Seasons | Career Starts |
|---|---|---|
| Ethan Pocic | 9 | 97 |
| Danny Pinter | 5 | 10 |
| Jovaughn Gwyn | N/A | 0 |
| Corey Bullock | N/A | 0 |
Pocic has started at least 10 games in seven of his nine professional seasons. While he is viewed by many as the favorite to secure the starting role due to his experience, the Ravens staff has maintained that the position will be awarded to the player who performs best during the summer. For the Browns, Pocic’s departure marks the end of a tenure characterized by a successful career revitalization. Cleveland has moved in a different direction at the position, with a roster that includes recent free agent acquisition Elgton Jenkins, rookie Parker Brailsford, and Luke Wypler, who finished the 2025 season as the starter following Pocic’s injury. Pocic will now face his former team twice during the regular season as a member of the AFC North rival Ravens.
