Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter is going through the final week of training camp and needs to make some tough decisions
Over 40 players will see their NFL dreams end, while others fight for starting jobs. One position Minter is working to fill is center, after a wave of injuries at the position.
Danny Pinter started training camp with the first team, but he has suffered a season-ending injury. That leaves Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic to battle for the job. There might be a big change coming at center, though.
Jesse Minter Makes Change to Baltimore Ravens Center Position
GettyOWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND – JULY 29: Head Coach Jesse Minter of the Baltimore Ravens talks to the media after practice on the first day of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on July 29, 2026 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Minter spoke with the media about the center position and what the team will do with it. The Athletic Ravens reporter Jeff Zrebiec shared what Minter said about what is coming this week.
“Minter said he expects Ethan Pocic to get first team work at center over the next week.”
Pocic is entering his 10th season in the NFL after having played for the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns. He has started in 97 of the 114 games he has appeared in during his career.
Last year with the Browns, he posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 63.8 overall, ranking 20th out of 40 centers in the NFL. Pocic also had a pass-blocking grade of 62.3 and a run-blocking grade of 63.2.
Ethan Pocic Appears to Be in Line to Start at Center for Ravens in 2026
GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 17: Ethan Pocic #55 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on November 17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Pocic makes the most sense as the Ravens’ starter in 2026. Even with Pinter injured, Baltimore signed Pocic with the idea that he would be the short-term solution at center for the season.
Now the Ravens appear to be moving toward Pocic starting in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. With his experience starting, it makes too much sense for the team.
Gwyn makes for a solid backup the Ravens can lean on. He doesn’t have what Pocic has to be the starter; Gwyn is more of a one-game replacement.
This gives Pocic about three weeks to be with the first team and prepare for the regular season. It’s not known whether he will play in the preseason finale against the Washington Commanders.
Pocic played in the fourth quarter of the first game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Against the Minnesota Vikings last week, he played more snaps, starting in the second quarter, and played a good portion of the game.
The hope is that Pocic can quickly build chemistry with the rest of the offensive line and quarterback Lamar Jackson. If they build rapport quickly, they should get off to a fast start in 2026.
Jesse Minter Announces Lineup Change Before Ravens Preseason Finale