The Ravens still have a major question hanging over their offseason, and it’s the one in the middle of the offensive line: who takes over for Tyler Linderbaum?
Linderbaum left in free agency to sign a three-year, $81 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, and Baltimore has not settled on a replacement. For now, the battle is between Jovaughn Gwyn and Danny Pinter, but neither player brings proven starting experience to the table. Both have shown some encouraging signs this offseason, yet neither option feels especially comforting heading into Week 1.
That uncertainty is why some around the league think Baltimore’s answer may not already be on the roster. Garrett Bradbury has come up as a trade possibility, while free agency remains another path. Ethan Pocic may now be the most realistic name to watch.
Pocic was recently cleared to take part in training camp as he works back from an Achilles injury. Browns starting center Ethan Pocic, who tore his Achilles last December, recently was cleared by Dr.
Norman Waldrop to participate in training camp. Pocic is a free agent, and is said by a source to be “full go.” pic.twitter.com/yfmZ1W4SH1
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 15, 2026
If Baltimore goes that route, Pocic would be a short-term fix rather than a long-term answer. The Ravens had interest in Logan Jones and Jake Slaughter in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the board never fell their way. That leaves them likely to keep searching for their next Linderbaum next year, while using a stopgap now if needed.
There are obvious concerns with Pocic. He is 30, he is coming off a major injury, and even at his best he profiles as a slightly above-average center. But in Baltimore’s current situation, that may still be enough to make him the best available option.
What Pocic does have is experience, and plenty of it. Over nine NFL seasons, he has made 97 starts, including 86 at center. That kind of reliability would matter for a Ravens offense with Lamar Jackson coming off a nightmarish year filled with injuries.
The alternatives are far less reassuring. Gwyn has no starts at all and only a handful of offensive snaps across three seasons. Pinter has 10 career starts since entering the league in 2020, but only three of those have come at center, and those three are his most recent starts over the last two seasons.
Signing Pocic would make sense on paper, even if it doesn’t solve the problem forever. Baltimore needs someone dependable in that spot.
The only catch is timing. He has been cleared as a full-go, but getting back into football shape won’t happen overnight, so Week 1 is not a certainty.
Still, if Pocic can get back on the field early, he could end up being a real upgrade for the Ravens right in the middle of the line.
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