Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio is weighing retirement.
Getty
Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio is weighing retirement.
The Cleveland Browns‘ first free agent signing may signal the end of an era for beloved offensive guard Joel Bitonio.
Guard Zion Johnson agreed to a three-year, $49.5 million deal with Cleveland on Monday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The contract includes $32.4 million in guaranteed money. It’s the Browns’ lone major free agency addition so far as they work to rebuild an offensive line that saw every 2025 starter hit the open market this offseason.
It may also be the clearest sign yet that Bitonio’s time in Cleveland is over. Jonathan Peterlin of 92.3 The Fan didn’t mince words.
“This means, I would think, that Joel Bitonio is done here,” Peterlin said. “That’s kind of the resounding statement you’d have to make off of this.”
Zion Johnson Was ‘Top Priority’ for Browns
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com said that Johnson was a top priority for the Browns, but it doesn’t necessarily rule out Bitonio returning.
“Landing ex-Chargers 1st round guard Zion Johnson was the Browns’ top priority as they headed into the negotiating period today,” Cabot said. “They now have at least 2 O-line spots filled — and this doesn’t mean that Joel Bitonio isn’t coming back. He’s still deciding.”
Bitonio is a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro who has been weighing retirement for the third straight offseason. The Browns and Bitonio pushed back the void date on his contract to the start of the new league year — buying him time to decide.
“He came up to the office a few weeks ago and we tried to talk him into it right then,” Browns coach Todd Monken said. “But he was not in that position yet to say he wanted to come back.”
Johnson has started three straight seasons at left guard. If he remains there, it would push Bitonio out of his natural position. But Johnson also started at right guard as a rookie in 2022, which could be a route if Bitonio returns.
Browns Have Also Added Tytus Howard
Johnson, 26, was one of the most durable players in the league last season, playing 100% of the Chargers’ snaps through Week 17. That’s important for the Browns as they look to rebuild their line nearly from scratch.
The Chargers took him with the No. 17 overall pick in 2022 out of Boston College, where he was a first-team All-ACC selection as a senior. Los Angeles declined his fifth-year option, setting him up to hit free agency.
Johnson is the second major offensive line addition this offseason, joining tackle Tytus Howard, who arrived via trade from Houston last week with a three-year, $63 million extension.
The Browns could also look internally for answers. Luke Wypler figures to be the frontrunner at center after stepping in for Ethan Pocic, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Wypler exited the season finale with a knee injury, but Browns GM Andrew Berry said he expects the center to be ready for the start of next year.
Dawand Jones is also expected to return at left tackle, although he comes with some significant durability concerns. The fourth-round pick out of Ohio State has now suffered a season-ending injury in each of his three NFL seasons — an MCL injury in 2023, a fractured fibula in 2024, and a knee injury in 2025.