Joel Bitonio has chosen to step away from professional football after 12 seasons with the Cleveland Browns, concluding a career that stretched from 2014 to 2025. The 34-year-old, who was still regarded as one of the most sought-after free agents in the 2026 offseason, ultimately opted not to continue in a different uniform.
Following the end of the 2025 campaign, Bitonio spent time continuing his rehab work at the team facility while reflecting on his future. He noted that football had been part of his life for 23 years, including 12 seasons in the NFL, and explained that he allowed himself time before finalizing the choice rather than rushing into it.
Career built in Cleveland
Selected 35th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Nevada, Bitonio spent his entire professional career in Cleveland. Over the years, he developed into one of the league’s most respected interior offensive linemen and became a central figure on the Browns’ offensive line.
From 2018 through 2024, he was selected to seven consecutive Pro Bowls. During the first part of that stretch, between 2018 and 2020, he earned three straight second-team All-Pro honors. He later reached first-team All-Pro recognition in both 2021 and 2022, marking the peak of his individual accolades.
Loyalty over external opportunities
Although he acknowledged still having interest from around the league, Bitonio emphasized that finishing his career in Cleveland carried greater importance than pursuing a Super Bowl elsewhere. He admitted that while the championship goal remained in the background, his connection to the Browns ultimately shaped his decision to retire.
The organization, along with general manager Andrew Berry, was described as supportive throughout the process. Bitonio and the team adjusted contractual timing to allow more space for his decision, with discussions taking place before the start of free agency, where retirement became the likely outcome.
Legacy, performance, and appreciation
Even in his final season, Bitonio remained highly effective, recording a 75.7 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus in 2025, which ranked eighth among NFL guards. Over his Browns tenure, he also accumulated 178 starts, the highest total by any Cleveland player since the franchise returned in 1999.
He concluded his announcement by expressing gratitude to the Browns organization, the Haslam family, and the fan base, thanking them for more than a decade of support and shared memories.