CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 28: Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns runs out of the tunnel previous to an NFL soccer sport in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Financial institution Area on December 28, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Picture by Perry Knotts/Getty Pictures) | Getty Pictures
There had been hypothesis surrounding the way forward for Cleveland Browns left guard Joel Bitonio for a few seasons, and whether or not he would retire. That hypothesis continued after this previous season. Then, in free company, it actually form of ramped up as soon as the Browns revamped their complete offensive line, not like something I’ve seen in all my years as a Browns fan.
It was believed {that a} choice would come a while throughout June. In current days, after the Browns traded defensive finish Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, some floated the query on the market of whether or not Bitonio is perhaps inquisitive about giving a contender a shot in a single last season. We now have our reply: Bitonio formally introduced his retirement from the NFL, having performed all 12 seasons solely with the Browns.
Bitonio penned his personal retirement letter on the crew’s official web site.
The letter is value a learn for a visit down nostalgia lane, and the whole lot Bitonio achieved in his profession: a 2x first-team All-Professional, 3x second-team All-Professional, and a 7x Professional Bowler. I’ll quote one half towards the tip, although, the place he goes into slightly little bit of element concerning his communication with the Browns this offseason on his possible choice on the time to retire as a Brown:
After the 2025 season got here to an finish, I used to be nonetheless fairly set on the truth that I used to be retiring, however I used to be nonetheless going to the power to rehab. I used to be considering my choice, enthusiastic about how I’ve been taking part in soccer for 23 years of my life – together with 12 within the NFL. However there was by no means a must rush the choice.
The Browns and AB have been very understanding. They acknowledged what I had completed for the crew and understood it was a troublesome choice, they usually assured me that they’d be there after I was prepared to debate. And that’s why we prolonged our void date on our contract. We have been giving it time, and I needed to ensure I used to be making the precise choice. By the point free company began, me and AB had already had the dialogue, and I informed him I’m almost certainly retiring right here.
I had the pleasure of watching each sport in careers of Joe Thomas and Bitonio, they usually have been the usual of consistency, each on and off the sphere. Let’s all want Bitonio one of the best in his post-NFL journey, and thank him for all of the years he gave to the town!
