Joel Bitonio announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday after spending 12 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. The left guard played his entire professional career with the franchise after being drafted by the team.
Bitonio was a fixture on the Browns offensive line throughout his career, serving as a cornerstone player for the organization. His departure leaves a significant hole on the Cleveland roster heading into the next season as the team continues to reshape its roster.
The timing of Bitonio's retirement comes during a period of significant change for the Browns organization. The team recently underwent major restructuring, including the firing of head coach Kevin Stefanski in January and the hiring of former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as his replacement.
The Browns have also made notable moves on the personnel front. The organization completed a blockbuster trade involving star edge rusher Myles Garrett, sending him to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for linebacker Jared Verse and multiple draft selections. Garrett, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time Pro Bowl selection, had requested a trade following the team's disappointing 3-14 season in 2024.
Despite signing a significant contract extension worth $204.8 million with the Browns, Garrett expressed frustration with the franchise's direction and opted for a fresh start with a team positioned for championship contention. The Rams, who reached last season's NFC Championship Game, were willing to make the aggressive trade to acquire the elite defensive player.
General Manager Andrew Berry addressed the difficult decision, stating that the organization faced a crossroads regarding whether to retain their generational talent or make moves they believed were best for the long-term future of the franchise. The Browns ultimately decided to move forward with the trade, acquiring Verse along with draft picks in 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Verse, 25, was a first-round selection by the Rams in 2024 and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. The standout pass rusher was also selected to the Pro Bowl this past season and has accumulated 12 career sacks along with 22 tackles for loss.
The Rams' acquisition of Garrett marks a significant offensive move for the organization, which has a history of making bold trades to pursue championship aspirations. The team previously acquired quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2021 and won the Super Bowl in his first season with the franchise.
With Bitonio's retirement and other roster changes underway, the Browns are entering a new era under head coach Todd Monken with a substantially different roster composition than previous seasons.