How the Ravens Latest Free-Agent Signing Changes the 2026 Center Position Battle
The Baltimore Ravens’ center position was one of the remaining questions that the team had to address entering the summer months, with former Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum having left in free agency earlier this offseason for the Las Vegas Raiders, where he will pair up with rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza. With the loss of Linderbaum, who served as a stabilizing presence on the Ravens’ offensive line for the past four seasons, Baltimore was left with a wide-open gap for new head coach Jesse Minter and general manager Eric DeCosta to fill ahead of the 2026 season. The Ravens needed to find a reliable starter at center to help ensure that star quarterback Lamar Jackson is protected moving forward. Prior to last Friday, Baltimore’s center depth consisted of Danny Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn, Corey Bullock and Nick Dawkins, a group that lacked the experience needed to earn trust that they could keep Jackson upright and healthy next season. As a result, DeCosta and the front office set their sights on former Browns center Ethan Pocic, with the nine-year veteran agreeing to a one-year deal. Pocic will now have the opportunity to replace Linderbaum and become Baltimore’s next starting center, given his proven ability to be a reliable player at the position in the NFL.
Pocic, 30, was a former second-round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2017. Throughout his nine seasons, Pocic has quietly built a respectable career as a center when given the opportunity to start. With 97 career starts under his belt, the Illinois native entered last season as a high-quality starting center, earning a top-10 overall grade at the position from PFF with a 74.8 mark. However, his most recent season in 2025 was initially concerning, as Pocic posted a 63.8 overall PFF grade, ranking 20th among 40 qualified centers. He allowed 14 pressures and two sacks while committing just two penalties over 826 snaps. While Pocic’s low 2025 PFF grade may be concerning at first glance, a player ranked 20th out of 40 would still represent a major upgrade over potentially starting an undrafted player or career backup who would be snapping the ball to the Ravens’ franchise quarterback. When comparing Pocic’s experience starting at center throughout his career, his 97 starts far exceed the next-closest player on Baltimore’s roster with starting experience. That player is Pinter, who has 10 career starts with the Colts.
While Pocic’s season-ending ACL injury in 2025 leaves lingering questions regarding his health heading into training camp, he was recently cleared to return to football by Dr. Norman Waldrop and is reportedly “full go,” according to a reliable source. Rookies are reporting this week, with the rest of the roster set to report next week, giving Pocic an opportunity to continue his recovery as the Ravens prepare for the upcoming season. The addition of Pocic to Baltimore’s offensive line boosts the Ravens’ overall potential and talent up front, with a potential starting five consisting of Ronnie Stanley, John Simpson, Pocic, first-round pick Vega Ioane and Roger Rosengarten from left to right. For fans looking for an additional level of confidence regarding Pocic’s potential, longtime Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas joined the Ryan Ripken Show on Monday to discuss Pocic’s signing with Baltimore. Thomas said, “I love Linderbaum. I think he's a great center. I think that he was probably not worth the contract that he got. So when you look at the swap that they made, being able to get Pocic on a much more attractive contract, I think it's a huge win, honestly, for the Ravens.” With Pocic seemingly becoming the Ravens’ projected Week One starter at center, Baltimore heads into the upcoming season with one less thing to worry about as the team aims to get over the hump in the first year of a new era under Minter’s leadership and offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford’s direction.
