The NFL Draft is quickly approaching and the Cleveland Browns still do not have much clarity on Joel Bitonio’s future.
The seven-time Pro Bowl left guard has yet to announce whether he will return for a 13th NFL season or retire after 12 years with the only franchise he’s ever known.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry addressed the situation publicly earlier this month, making clear the organization isn’t pushing Bitonio toward a decision.
“Joel has been a foundational player for the organization,” Berry said. “He’s everything that we could have asked as a Brown. He needs to make the decision on his own timeline, just simple as that. And like he’s earned that right. He will have that right. You know, we’ll be ready either way.”
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com believes Bitonio may be nearing the end of his career, pointing to the prolonged timeline surrounding his decision.
“The fact that he hasn’t said he’s coming back yet leads me to believe he’s probably done, but he could also be giving his body time to heal,” Cabot said. “In the meantime, the Browns have proceeded as though he’s not coming back, and have a good new left guard in Zion Johnson to replace him.”
Bitonio on Decision: I’m Living Life Right Now
Bitonio recently opened up on his process during an interview with Nevada Sports Net.
“It is the weirdest offseason because I’ve finished my contract with the Cleveland Browns and I’m sure people are, like, ‘Oh, he’s gonna retire; he’s not gonna retire,’” Bitonio said.
Bitonio said he’s weighing whether to return to Cleveland, sign with another team, or retire. He wants to see how the draft unfolds and how his body responds as the offseason.
“I’m just kind of living life right now. I’ve been spending a lot of time with family, and I’ve played football for 25 years so any decision you make is a big decision,” Bitonio said. “If you come back, if you want to play for the Browns, if you want to play for another team, if you want to retire. All those things are in my mind and a big decision for me to make.”
The former All-Pro did acknowledge that there’s an emotional side to the decision he’s weighing as well.
“It’s still hard to imagine yourself in anything but a Browns uniform,” he said. “I played there for 12 years and it’s my whole career. That’s all I know.”
Browns Have Made Moves on Offensive Line
When Bitonio’s previous contract voided at the start of the new league year in March, it triggered $23.5 million in dead cap charges for the Browns in 2026. It’s a cost the team is absorbing no matter what he decides.
But the Browns haven’t let Bitonio’s uncertain future affect their decision-making. The Browns signed Johnson and Elgton Jenkins in free agency to address the interior line. The team also acquired right tackle Tytus Howard from Houston and retained Teven Jenkins, giving the Browns a largely rebuilt offensive line regardless of Bitonio’s decision.
If Bitonio does decide to come back, Cleveland has enough flexibility up front that he’d still have a spot.
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