​The Minnesota Vikings may or may not need a center in free agency this summer, depending on how veteran Blake Brandel looks in training camp. Ryan Kelly retired a few months ago, and as of now, Brandel is on track to be the starting center for the purple team.But just in case, don’t rule out free agent Ethan Pocic, who received a clean bill of health on Wednesday.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCleveland Browns center Ethan Pocic takes the field before a game Sept. 21, 2025, in Cleveland. © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesPocic Good to Go — and Looking for WorkIf you don’t quite trust Brandel as a sufficient OL solution for the Vikings this season, Pocic can be on your radar.ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “Browns starting center Ethan Pocic, who tore his Achilles last December, recently was cleared by Dr. Norman Waldrop to participate in training camp. Pocic is a free agent, and is said by a source to be ‘full go.’”NBC Sports‘ Myles Simmons added context, “Center Ethan Pocic is available for work. Pocic is a free agent after spending the last four seasons with Cleveland. A second-round pick in 2017, Pocic played his first five seasons with the Seahawks, appearing in 57 games with 40 starts. He signed with the Browns as a free agent in 2022, starting 57 games for the club.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThink of it this way: if the Vikings’ coaching staff realizes that it needs a better alternative at center in the next two months, Pocic would probably be their first call — if they make it in time.Pocic’s ResumePocic has built a solid nine-year NFL career, starting 97 of 114 regular-season games. Drafted by the Seahawks in 2017, Pocic initially played guard before settling in at center. Once he became a full-time starter, his snap count increased immensely, reaching 993 snaps in 2020.His most successful period began after joining Cleveland. From 2022 to 2025, Pocic started all 57 games he played for the Browns. His standout season was 2022, when he earned an impressive 78.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, with a run-blocking score to match. His pass protection, too, remained reliable.Sep 11, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns center Ethan Pocic (55)signals at the line in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY SportsHe followed this with a 70.7 grade in 2023, achieving a 72.9 mark as a pass blocker. While his performance in 2024 (63.6) and 2025 (63.8) dipped, his play remained respectable.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThroughout his career, Pocic has accumulated 6,407 offensive snaps, with over 4,000 in pass protection and 2,369 as a run blocker. Notably, he has only incurred 29 penalties.Though Pocic may no longer be at his 2022 peak, he remains an experienced starting center capable of immediately stabilizing an offensive line. That could be just what the doctor ordered for the 2026 Vikings.The Brandel PlanBra