Browns left guard Joel Bitonio retires after 12 seasons

Longtime Cleveland Browns left guard Joel Bitonio announced his retirement Tuesday after 12 seasons in the NFL. Bitonio, 34, spent his entire career in Cleveland after the team selected him with the 35th overall pick in the 2014 draft. He started 178 games, the most by any Browns player since the franchise returned in 1999.

Career achievements Bitonio earned seven Pro Bowl selections, tied for fourth-most in team history. He received first-team All-Pro honors in 2021 and 2022. The guard also won the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2022 and the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award twice.

Decision to stay in Cleveland Bitonio said at a Tuesday news conference that remaining with one franchise mattered to him. >"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." — Joel Bitonio, June 9, 2026 (ESPN) He added that he had considered retirement last year before returning for a final season.

Final season and departure In 2025 Bitonio ranked third among qualifying guards in ESPN's pass-block win-rate metric. His contract voided in March, making him an unrestricted free agent. Bitonio wrote in a farewell letter that he never envisioned playing in another uniform.

" — Joel Bitonio, June 9, 2026 (ESPN) The retirement leaves the Browns without their longest-tenured player heading into the 2026 season.