Seven-time Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio announced his retirement Tuesday, bringing to a close a 12-year NFL career spent entirely with the Cleveland Browns. The 34-year-old, selected in the second round of the 2014 draft out of Nevada, started all 178 games he played and became the franchise’s longest-tenured player since the Browns returned in 1999.
At a Tuesday press conference in Berea, Ohio, Bitonio appeared alongside his wife, Courtney, and their three children, who all wore his signature No. 75 jersey. Reflecting on the finality of his decision, Bitonio revealed that he knew his playing days were over shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 season, but continued visiting the team facility while rehabbing injuries before finalizing his decision.
In a heartfelt farewell letter published on the franchise’s website, Bitonio addressed his decision to remain a lifelong member of the organization instead of moving to a title contender late in his career: “Truthfully, as time passed and my career kept going, there was never a point where I could envision myself in a different uniform. Wearing that orange helmet and being part of this franchise — from getting drafted to signing three contracts — I felt a loyalty to the Browns, and it gave me a sense of pride to represent a fan base who is consistently loyal to us. I started the job here, and once I got to a certain point, I knew I wanted to finish the job in Cleveland. Now that job is finished. After 12 seasons of wearing No. 75 in brown and orange, I have officially decided to retire … when I looked at my career and all that I had achieved — the All-Pros, Pro Bowls, snap streaks and playoff appearances — 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.”
General manager Andrew Berry praised Bitonio’s leadership, consistency and impact on the organization, while noting the team gave him additional time to make his decision by extending the void date on his contract. He lauded Bitonio’s career as Canton-bound, confirming his eventual induction into the team’s Ring of Honor.
Selected by Cleveland in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the 35th overall pick, Bitonio developed into one of the league’s premier interior blockers. He garnered seven Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro honors, including first-team nods in 2021 and 2022. Renowned for his durability and pass-protection prowess, Bitonio amassed 178 career starts, surpassing Hall of Famer Joe Thomas for the most starts by any Browns player since the franchise was reactivated in 1999. His high level of play extended through his final season in 2025, where analytics ranked him among the league’s top-performing guards in pass block win rate.
Beyond his on-field execution, Bitonio was highly regarded for his leadership and community involvement, serving as Cleveland’s longest-tenured captain. He earned the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination in 2022 and was twice honored with the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
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