The NFL has learned of a rather surprising retirement just months before the 2026 NFL is set to begin. The news of the retirement was reported on Tuesday morning and has since gone viral throughout the league. The long-time NFL star spent his entire career with one team.
Here are the details.
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Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell looks on from the podium after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
NFL Star Player Retires Just Before The 2026 Season
After 12 seasons with the Browns, Joel Bitonio is retiring.
In making his decision, the veteran guard, 34, is bringing to an end a career spent exclusively in Cleveland. It also ends one of the longest tenures for a player in the franchise’s history.
The two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Second-Team All-Pro, and seven time pro bowler disclosed his decision via a farewell message posted on the Browns’ website. The letter reflected on his connection to the organization that drafted him in the second round in 2014. This is his retirement statement:
“I learned to appreciate everyone who helped me on this amazing journey,” Bitonio said. “I learned what an honor and privilege it is to be able to wear that orange helmet and what this team means to the fans. I learned how hard it is to say goodbye. I had a good idea back in January that this was the end for me, but this place is so special that it was hard to truly say goodbye. I’m so glad I got to learn and be a Cleveland Brown my entire career.”
“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 farewell letter. “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.”
Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns guards Germain Ifedi (65) and Joel Bitonio (75) and Wyatt Teller (77) take the field to play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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