The excitement surrounding the Baltimore Ravens has hit a new level. After all the offseason improvements, the team seemingly added the final piece they needed in the form of Ethan Pocic just ahead of training camp. They finally have what appears to be their starting center to fill the void left by Tyler Linderbaum.
Still, there are some doubts about Pocic. He’s not necessarily an elite piece in the middle, and he’s a nine-year veteran coming off an Achilles tear. In all fairness, any uncertainty is warranted.
Pocic has made 97 career starts for a reason, though. And if you’re not convinced that Pocic can get the job, maybe an endorsement from Pocic’s former teammate and five-time All-Pro, Joel Bitonio, will ease your worries. His praise in an interview on the Ryan Ripken Show was loud.
“[Pocic’s] locked in all the time ... I used to tell him it's okay to blink every once in a while because he was just so dialed in,” Bitonio said. “I think at the center position that’s what you want—this guy has to know the calls for everybody … The thing that makes him special is he is dedicated to the game. He loves the game. He’s a great person, great locker room guy, someone you want on your sideline.”
Joel Bitonio's endorsement validates Baltimore Ravens' Ethan Pocic signing
Bitonio was a lifetime Cleveland Brown before retiring this offseason. Over his last four seasons, he played right next to Pocic and knows better than anyone the work Pocic puts in on a day-to-day basis. Bitonio also earned three Pro Bowl nods and a first-team All-Pro honor while playing alongside Pocic, highlighting just how seamless their connection was.
Now, Pocic comes to Charm City, and that mindset will be just as important as it was in Cleveland. Bitonio mentioned that with the Browns, Pocic took on more responsibilities due to the inexperience at quarterback. While the Ravens won’t have to worry about that, they do have a rookie guard starting next to their new center by the name of Vega Ioane.
Ioane has the makings of a very talented NFL guard. He was unbelievable at Penn State, garnering praise as the best guard prospect since Quenton Nelson. Still, he’s just a rookie—you can definitely expect some bumps in the road, especially in the first half of the year.
Thankfully, it sounds like Pocic will be able to help ease that path for Ioane, and in turn, the rest of the offense. He clearly has the awareness and communication skills to ensure everyone is set and well-prepared at every snap of the ball. Having that kind of leadership at center will be instrumental to any success that Baltimore’s new-look offense has in 2026.
Of course, Pocic still needs to prove he can remain an above-average offensive lineman. That’s the standard he’s set for most of his career, but an Achilles injury is obviously one of the worst injuries you can deal with. If he can check that box, then the Ravens shouldn’t have much to worry about because his IQ is evidently off the charts.
Add us as a preferred source on Google