The Cleveland Browns are still awaiting word from Joel Bitonio on a potential return.
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The Cleveland Browns are still awaiting word from Joel Bitonio on a potential return.
The Cleveland Browns still don’t know what Joel Bitonio is going to do, and they’re not going to push him for an answer.
General manager Andrew Berry addressed Bitonio’s future at the NFL’s owners meetings in Phoenix, making clear the organization is giving its longtime left guard all the space to make a decision.
“Joel’s going to take the time that he needs to make the decision for the next step in his career, and like, he should, right?” Berry said. “It’s a pretty big life decision for him. I don’t think that we can operate under the assumption that he’s absolutely coming back because he hasn’t said that in any space. And I do think that there’s a little bit of like an indefinite time period in terms of where he’s going to make that decision, because it’s a major one for a person. We respect that and can appreciate it.”
Bitonio, a seven-time Pro Bowler who has anchored Cleveland’s offensive line since being drafted in the second round out of Nevada in 2014, is weighing whether to return for a 13th NFL season — in Cleveland or elsewhere — or walk away from the game entirely.
Bitonio has played in just three playoff games in 12 seasons with the Browns. If he still wants to compete, a contender could be an attractive destination. His contract voided at the start of the new league year, making him an unrestricted free agent — free to sign anywhere.
The Browns had pushed back the original void date from February to March to give Bitonio more time, but no answer has come yet.
Browns Preach Versatility During Offensive Line Rebuild
Berry and the Browns haven’t sat still waiting. Cleveland has aggressively overhauled its offensive line this offseason, trading for Texans right tackle Tytus Howard and signing Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins in free agency. Berry made clear that versatility was a priority in building out the group.
“Good so far, obviously still a lot of work to be done,” Berry said of the offensive line additions. “I think as we look specifically with that offensive line group, good players, but also very versatile. And particularly like with Elgton and Tytus, both of those guys are players who can play at a quality starting level at both positions across the offensive line. And that’s super helpful because it really is a war of attrition with that position group.”
Berry cited a sobering stat to underscore why that depth matters.
“Something like we looked at it as either 23 or 24 teams last year played less than 50% with their starting five,” Berry said. “Of course, we were one of them. And so to have that resiliency built into a position group where you have guys that can start all across the line of scrimmage, it’s really important, in addition to the flexibility it gives you going into the draft.”
Browns Still Have Big Decision to Make
The Browns still have a major decision ahead at quarterback, and Berry isn’t ready to tip his hand. With Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson all on the roster, Cleveland is keeping its options open heading into the offseason program.
“Yeah, I’d say as we sit here on March 29, and nobody has touched the grass, nobody has really worked with our coaching staff, I wouldn’t handicap it for anyone,” Berry said. “I think everyone in that room deserves opportunity. And so we’ll certainly know a lot more as we get to the spring. We’ll know even more as we get to camp. But I think honestly, we wouldn’t be doing the right thing for the team, we wouldn’t be doing the right thing for that position if we didn’t go in with it eyes wide open.”
Berry said the Browns are also open to adding a young quarterback to compete for the starting job.