After 12 seasons and 178 games, former Cleveland Browns standout left guard Joel Bitonio is calling it a career.
A free agent after the Browns rebuilt their offensive line this offseason through free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft, Bitonio announced his retirement Tuesday morning, rather than signing elsewhere.
“Truthfully, as time passed and my career kept going, there was never a point where I could envision myself in a different uniform,” Bitonio wrote in a letter announcing his retirement. “Wearing that orange helmet and being part of this franchise – from getting drafted to signing three contracts – I felt a loyalty to the Browns, and it gave me a sense of pride to represent a fan base who is consistently loyal to us. I started the job here, and once I got to a certain point, I knew I wanted to finish the job in Cleveland.
“Now that job is finished. After 12 seasons of wearing No. 75 in brown and orange, I have officially decided to retire.”
A second-round pick at No. 35 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Nevada, Bitonio went on to start 178 games for the Browns, including two playoff games.
Bitonio logged career 11,842 snaps, earning seven Pro Bowl nods, two first-team All-Pro accolades and three second-team All-Pros.
Last season at age 34, Bitonio played 1,081 snaps, earning a grade of 70.7 overall from Pro Football Focus, showing he could still play at a solid level. He allowed just 31 pressures, two sacks and was charged with only one penalty all season.
The Browns decided to move on this offseason though, leaving Bitonio on the open market. Instead of signing elsewhere, with CBS Sports recently naming him a great fit with the Steelers, Bitonio is hanging up his cleats.
During his lengthy career, Bitonio had some great battles in the AFC North, particularly with the Pittsburgh Steelers and future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. The two consistently matched up against each other twice a year and had some epic back-and-forth tilts.
After the Browns’ 13-6 win in Week 17 last season, Bitonio — according to the Akron Beacon Journal’s Nate Ulrich — sought out Heyward. According to Ulrich, Bitonio told Heyward how much the Cleveland captain respected him. After all, the two battled each other 17 times.
“He’s getting old, too,” Bitonio said of Heyward, Ulrich wrote.
Now, Bitonio is off into retirement, and Heyward is back for another season in Pittsburgh. He’ll face off against a new Browns left guard, starting in Week 4 on Thursday Night Football.
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