In an offseason filled with uncertainty, the Cleveland Browns desperately needed some positivity. Veteran and well respected offensive lineman Joel Bitonio contemplated retirement this off-season but Bitonio decided to surprise everyone as the team announced his return to the Browns.
Unfortunately for Bitonio, DE Myles Garrett has taken most of the attention surrounding the team. Heck, Garrett would have been the biggest conversation around the NFL, with NFL free agency opening in a couple of days, if it wasn't for QB Geno Smith getting traded.
Garrett’s frustration reportedly being also with Cleveland’s roster and players’ effort is highly unlikely to be about Bitonio but now the long-time pro is back with the team that drafted him:
Bitonio’s return is a huge boost for many reasons:
First, the leadership he brings is necessary in a time in which things aren’t going well for the team. Second, the offensive line gets one of the better interior guards back on their team. Considering how the offensive line was last season, having Bitonio back is a necessity.
As far as his play goes, Bitonio has declined a bit over the past couple of years. Age and injury come to mind but he’s still a reliable guard to have on your team.
With Bitonio coming back, it’s pretty clear where the Browns are trending and it isn’t towards a rebuild. General manager Andrew Berry is going to retool the roster in order for the team to get back into contention and getting Bitonio back was a key start to that.
It might be minor to some, but this is huge for the Cleveland Browns as they look to get out of the current situation that they are in.