Following a breakout campaign in 2022, Browns center Ethan Pocic is eyeing a sizable pay raise this offseason. However, if the impending free agent has his way, he’ll be sticking in Cleveland.
“I just feel like this is where God called me to be,” Pocic said (via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal). “This is what God wanted. Just coming in here, working with [offensive line coach] Bill [Callahan] and [assistant offensive line coach] Scott [Peters] and then everything around them, whether it be the O-linemen, the weight room, the training room, everyone’s on point, so you’ve got a lot of good help around you.
“With a new system, it’s kind of a new way how you see things, and I got to see it [Callahan’s] way. Me and him are on the same page. Bill, he knows how to coach players, man. He’s future Hall of Famer. Him and Scott — and they work well together — both of them, man, I’ve learned so much [from]. I can’t thank them enough.”
The former Seahawks second-round pick mostly disappointed during his five seasons in Seattle. While he started 40 of his 58 appearances, he generally graded out as a middle-of-the-road center, per Pro Football Focus. After inking a one-year, veteran-minimum deal with Cleveland this past offseason, Pocic was expected to provide depth at the center position behind expected starter Nick Harris.
Harris ultimately went down with a season-ending knee injury, forcing Pocic into the starting lineup. The lineman has made the most of the opportunity, turning into one of the top players at his position. Heading into the final two weeks of the season, the 27-year-old currently ranks third among 39 qualifying centers, per PFF. He’s started all 11 game he’s appeared in this season, with a knee injury forcing a stint on injured reserve.
Would be an upgrade over Vikings current starter Bradbury.
I’m hoping the Browns bring him back. I just don’t know if they’ll be able to afford him without playing some serious cap gymnastics, so my guess is that they let him walk and roll with Harris. I’m shocked enough that they were able to keep Conklin.
When God called and stated that I needed to go to Cleveland, I asked why I condemned to hell. God apologized and gave 31 other options.
No matter how bad the team is all “ want to be here” until the next contract elsewhere is signed for $1. more.
Elevated performance due to:
One year veterans minimum contract?
OR
The right coaches, the right system for Pocic
AND
Wants to stay due to coaches getting most from him.
I’d be willing to guess that Bill Callahan had a lot to do with his improvement this year