The Baltimore Ravens are signing Ethan Pocic to a one-year deal, team sources tell The Athletic.
After striking out on finding a successor to center Tyler Linderbaum in the 2026 NFL Draft and after evaluating their internal options at the position throughout the offseason workout program, the Ravens bring in an experienced free agent to help fill the void. Pocic had just recently been cleared medically after he tore his Achilles in December.
Pocic, who turns 31 next month, started 57 games for the Cleveland Browns over the past four seasons. Before that, he played five seasons and started 40 games for the Seattle Seahawks, who made him a second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
The Ravens’ offseason makeover of their offensive line may now be complete with Pocic’s signing. If healthy, Pocic is the clear frontrunner to start at center for the Ravens. While general manager Eric DeCosta and head coach Jesse Minter expressed confidence in their internal center options, which include free agent signings Danny Pinter and Jovaughn Gwyn, and third-year pro Corey Bullock, DeCosta had also acknowledged looking elsewhere for potential upgrades.
DeCosta initially had designs on drafting Linderbaum’s replacement, but two players they viewed as likely immediate starters — Iowa’s Logan Jones and Florida’s Jake Slaughter — went off the board in the second round, one round before the Ravens were prepared to pick them. The Chicago Bears selected Jones at pick No. 57 and the Los Angeles Chargers selected Slaughter at No. 63. That’s when DeCosta was forced to consider other options.
The Ravens know the 6-foot-6 and 320-pound Pocic well from his time in the AFC North. He had some good years in Cleveland although injuries, particularly late in the season, were challenging. Pocic missed 11 games for the Browns over the four seasons, including four last year after tearing his Achilles in Week 14 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
They maintained interest in him, while kicking the tires on other available potential starting centers. Recent positive health reports accelerated the Pocic agreement.
Pocic now potentially becomes the anchor of a new-look interior of Baltimore’s offensive line. Linderbaum, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in March, agreeing to a stunning three-year, $81 million deal. Starting right guard Daniel Faalele also departed in free agency, following John Harbaugh to the New York Giants. Starting left guard Andrew Vorhees is most likely headed for a reserve role.
The Ravens added veteran John Simpson as the likely replacement for Vorhees. They used the No. 14 pick on Penn State’s Vega Ioane, regarded as the top interior offensive lineman in the draft. He’s expected to be a plug-and-play guy. Now, they’ve acquired Pocic after also bringing in Pinter and Gwyn in free agency.
Pinter, who signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal in late March, had been the favorite to start at center. Amongst Pinter, Gwyn and Bullock, Pinter (10 career starts) was the only option who had started an NFL game.
Pocic, meanwhile, has made 97 career starts.
