Cleveland Browns re-sign center Ethan Pocic to a three-year deal

On Mar 15, 2023

Cleveland Browns center Ethan Pocic looks to throw a block on Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio, at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The Browns have been very aggressive when it’s come to spending capital on their offensive line. They’re showing it again by taking care of the one true free agent from that group.

The team officially announced on Wednesday that center Ethan Pocic has been re-signed. The deal, which was originally reported on Monday, is for three years and at a base salary of $18 million, with incentives.

“I’m really excited about Ethan being back as he played at a high level for us last season,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said in a statement. “He’s a great fit in our building and someone that has a lot of experience in this league. He’s a big, physical presence up front and we’re happy to have him back.”

The deal would keep Pocic signed through the 2025 season, which is in line with what the Browns have done with three other starters along their offensive front. Guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, as well as right tackle Jack Conklin, are all signed through at least that season.

Left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., who remains on his rookie deal, is the only one not signed beyond 2023. There remains a strong chance the Browns pick up his fifth-year option by the May 2 deadline, which would lock him up through 2024.

“I’m excited to get to work and just continue to try to grow as a player,” Pocic said in a statement. “I had a lot of fun. It’s fun to play in that room and be coached by great coaches and play with great players around you. It’s just fun to go to work with them.”

Pocic indicated several times late last season a desire to remain with the Browns. He originally signed with the team last March on a one-year deal after five seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.

“That would be a dream come true, man. That would be awesome,” Pocic told the Beacon Journal on Dec 29. “So we’ll see what happens. That would be a dream come true, though.”

When Nick Harris — who was projected to replace the retired JC Tretter at center coming into last season — suffered a season-ending knee injury on the second play of the preseason opener at Jacksonville, Pocic moved into the starting job. All he did was play at a level that was among the best centers in the AFC, if not the entire league.

Pocic earned an overall grade of 79 out of 100 from Pro Football Focus. That grade ranked third in the NFL, behind only the two starting centers in the Super Bowl: Philadelphia’s Jason Kelce (89.5) and Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey (89.9).