The Baltimore Ravens have found their answer at center. Baltimore agreed to terms with free agent Ethan Pocic on Friday, a move first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and confirmed by the team. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the deal is worth up to $4.5 million over one year.
Pocic spent the past four seasons with the rival Cleveland Browns, starting 57 straight games before a torn Achilles ended his 2025 season in December. He’s since been medically cleared. Over nine NFL seasons with the Seahawks and Browns, Pocic has made 97 career starts.
The signing fills a real need. Baltimore lost three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, and the Ravens went more than four months without a clear replacement. Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn and Corey Bullock — the other centers on the roster — have combined for just 10 career starts, all by Pinter. Pocic now enters training camp as the favorite to start.
Other NFL Roster Moves
Baltimore wasn’t the only team making news. Here’s a rundown of other signings, cuts and retirements from around the league.
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers re-signed offensive lineman Brady Christensen to a one-year deal, the team announced. A 2021 third-round pick, Christensen has started 34 of 59 games over five seasons but appeared in just eight games in 2025 before tearing his Achilles.
Houston Texans: Houston signed guard Febechi Nwaiwu, their fourth-round pick (No. 106 overall) in this year’s draft.
New England Patriots: The Patriots waived defensive tackle Travis Shaw in a roster move.
San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco waived offensive tackle Zach Thomas.
Titans Honor Chris Johnson, Levi Wallace Retires
The Tennessee Titans announced that former running back Chris Johnson will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor. The ceremony will take place at halftime of Tennessee’s regular-season opener against the Jets on Sept. 13, 2026.
Johnson made three Pro Bowls during his six seasons with the Titans from 2008 to 2013 after Tennessee drafted him in the first round out of East Carolina in 2008. He recently revealed that he has been diagnosed with ALS.
Separately, cornerback Levi Wallace announced his retirement after seven NFL seasons. Wallace posted the news on Instagram:
Wallace entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and went on to appear in 96 games with 72 starts, recording 333 tackles, 12 interceptions and 56 passes defensed. He played four seasons with the Buffalo Bills, two with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and last saw regular-season action with the Denver Broncos in 2024. He was placed on injured reserve by the Jacksonville Jaguars last preseason before his release.
Pocic Signing By the Numbers
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contract | 1 year, up to $4.5 million |
| Career starts | 97 |
| Previous team | Cleveland Browns |
| 2025 season | Ended in Dec. with torn Achilles |
| NFL seasons | 9 |
Why It Matters
Baltimore’s offensive line was the clear question mark heading into camp. Losing Linderbaum, one of the league’s better young centers, to a division rival’s rival in Las Vegas left a real void up front for a team built around the run game. Pocic isn’t Linderbaum, but he’s a proven, durable starter who’s played the position at a high level when healthy. The Achilles recovery is the swing factor — Baltimore is banking on him returning to form heading into the 2026 season.
