NFL veteran Joel Bitonio has announced his retirement from the NFL – just weeks before the Cleveland Browns step up their preparations for the new season.
Bitonio spent his entire career with Cleveland, playing in 178 regular-season games over 12 seasons and establishing himself as one of the cornerstones of the franchise.
The 34-year-old guard now leaves a big void in the Browns offensive line as head coach Todd Monken builds towards his first season in charge.
Monken has already lost Myles Garrett, who was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in the biggest deal of the offseason so far.
Now Bitonio has called time on his career. He announced the news in an emotional statement, revealing that even heading into the 2025 season, he was ‘fairly confident’ it would be his last.
‘After the 2025 season came to an end… I was contemplating my decision, thinking about how I have been playing football for 23 years of my life – including 12 in the NFL,’ the 34-year-old said. ‘Truthfully, as time passed and my career kept going, there was never a point where I could envision myself in a different uniform.’
Legendary Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio has announced his retirement from the NFL
Bitonio spent his entire career with Cleveland, playing in 178 regular-season games
The seven-time Pro Bowler continued: ‘When I looked at my career and all that I had achieved… there was only one thing left that I still hoped to accomplish: a Super Bowl.
‘A small part of me thought about wanting to chase that dream, but at the end of the day, my heart was set on being a Cleveland Brown for life.
‘This city was where my NFL career was supposed to start and finish. For that dream to be a reality, I could not be more grateful.
‘To the city of Cleveland, our loyal fanbase, the Haslam family and the entire Browns organization, thank you. Thank you for 12 years of unwavering support and unforgettable memories.’
The Browns’ mandatory minicamp ahead of the 2026 NFL season kicks off on Tuesday, with training camp slated to begin next month.
Bitonio was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft and there are have been calls for him to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
No Browns player has made more than his 178 starts since the franchise returned to Cleveland in 1999.