Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joel Bitonio is one of the best in the business. His teammate Myles Garrett says he is “one of the best of this generation.” He has been with the 3-12 Browns his entire career spanning 11 seasons.
Like his former teammate Joe Thomas, many believe Bitonio will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer five years after he hangs up his cleats. Could that HOF induction be getting closer to reality?
LG Joel Bitonio, like Myles Garrett, will factor in the #Browns chances of winning next season before deciding whether or not to come back. In his case it’s retire/not retire: pic.twitter.com/eHZBX2iPua
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) December 26, 2024
It could be. Bitonio said he will take a few weeks after the season to decide what is next for him. The dreaded retirement word was mentioned.
Browns LG and great guy Joel Bitonio weighing retirement. Plans to wait until offseason and speak with his family before finalizing decision.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) December 26, 2024
That he is somewhat entertaining the idea with one year left on his contract is troubling. The 33-year-old could walk away from the game after one of the most disappointing Browns seasons ever,. That is saying something since he was with the team at its worst in 2016-2017 with a 1-31 record.
The difference between those seasons and now is that the Browns have a talented roster that failed to perform this year.
Deshaun Watson’s contract has been restructured so it appears that the team is bringing him back in 2025. Could this factor into Bitonio’s decision process? He will not say that, but he recently mentioned that he wants to see the team’s overall direction for next year. And who can blame him?
For those thinking he would request a trade for the final year of his contract and most likely his career, that is unlikely. Bitonio cannot see himself in any other NFL uniform. Coach Stefanski hopes that Bitonio returns and believes he has “a lot left in the tank.”
