Overview
- Joel Bitonio announced his retirement Tuesday, ending a 12-season, all-Browns run that featured 178 starts, seven Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro nods.
- Browns general manager Andrew Berry praised Bitonio as Hall of Fame-caliber and said the organization expects to honor him in the team’s Ring of Honor.
- Bitonio had battled back issues in recent seasons and his contract voided in March, a context that made his decision to step away from free agency less surprising.
- Cleveland already added depth this offseason and now projects at least four new starters on the line, with Spencer Fano, Zion Johnson, Tytus Howard and Elgton Jenkins getting early reps.
- Bitonio said he chose to finish his career in Cleveland rather than chase a Super Bowl elsewhere, leaving a legacy of durability, leadership and community work that will shape the Browns’ locker room and offseason plans.