The Cleveland Browns have had their fair share of exceptional players since their maiden season of 1946. The franchise has won eight Pro Football Championships over the course of the team’s history, tied for the third most with the New York Football Giants.
Teams don’t win championships without good offensive lines that come complete with exceptional athletes paid to clear paths for runners and competent pass protection.
OL Joel Bitonio served the Browns’ offense for 12 years and was named Captain
for half his tenure in Cleveland. Seven Pro Bowls, twice voted First Team All-Pro, selected Second Team All-Pro three seasons, had 178 total starts, with 102 all in a row. Bitonio played 6,481 consecutive offensive plays beginning from the 2017 season and played hurt more times than he could count. He becomes one of those rare NFL players in today’s environment who retired from the same team that drafted him.
After the 2024 season, he thought about retiring from the game. Seriously. Perhaps it wasn’t fun anymore, or worth getting off the trainer’s table to bother with. But he was in rehab, and something inside of him wouldn’t allow his time in pro football to end under doctor’s orders. So, he stayed one more year.
And beginning this past season of 2025, he began Week 1 with the same line mates that had been ranked #3 in the league in 2023, except LT Jed Wills. As a Browns fan, you know the cast: RT Jack Conklin, RG Wyatt Teller, C Ethan Pocic, himself at LG, and LT Dawand Jones in place of Wills.
At season’s end, all of those usual faces had vanished as players get hurt like players in a violent sport often do. Bitonio ended his final two games with two victories, but the entire offensive line that he played alongside was practice squad guys, backups, and backups to the backups.
The 2025 Browns’ offensive line was ranked #31. The team had lost 12 games and 26 in the past two seasons.
In the end, Bitonio decided to hang up his cleats. Now what?
Currently, the Browns have 90 guys under contract for training camp. Nobody on the current roster is wearing #95. Nobody is wearing #73. And no player is wearing #75. That’s considered reverence.
Dawgs by Nature staff writer Barry Shuck sat down with Bitonio to discuss some things, but mostly his retirement. As always, Bitonio was candid and did not hold back. Before he officially rode off into the sunset, we had questions.
Shuck: No fluff, let’s just jump right into it. What was your deciding factor to retire?
Bitonio: It truly was time. My mind was telling me to try to go win a Super Bowl and play one more year. But my body was ready to be done. It was getting more difficult. My back was an issue and getting thrown out each week, getting ready for the season and the next game, along with my ankles and knees. All of those things were kinda combined. The work for getting ready to play became more stressful than actually going out there to play. It was time to hang it up. My contract was at a good point, and my commitment to the Browns, and their commitment to me. It was a perfect time.
Shuck: Todd Monken would have been your sixth head coach. Was bringing in a new head once again a deterrent?
Bitonio: I want to say not. I already knew him when he was the OC for the Browns in 2019. I talked to him once he was announced as the new head coach, and he was very adamant about loving to have me with my leadership and play. He was assured about playing me if I came back, so it wasn’t a deterrent to play for another new head coach. He did keep some of this past year’s staff, so there was some continuity there.
Shuck: Were you able to get a feeling for what the new offense would look like?
Bitonio: We didn’t actually talk “X’s and O’s.” It was more like how I felt and what the expectations were. And who was hired on the staff. We talked about how they were going to attack the draft and get a new left tackle, and how they were going to be more versatile, like when he coached with the (Baltimore) Ravens. He needs a mobile quarterback, as he had with Lamar Jackson, and he ran the ball more with that situation.
Shuck: After the last game against the Cincinnati Bengals, how many conversations did you have with Andrew Berry about your future with the Browns or retirement?
Bitonio: We had a few conversations, and he mainly told me to take my time. After the season, I was rehabbing the first six to eight weeks of the offseason. I had a minor elbow scope to clean up some of the cartilage. Before the free agency period started, we had already talked quite a bit, even before free agency and the draft started. He kinda knew I was ready to retire, which gave him what he needed to sign some new guys in free agency instead of waiting until the list of the best players was picked over. That’s why he brought in some interior linemen. They kind of knew I was ready to retire at that point. We had a good conversation.
Shuck: What kind of attitude did Berry have toward you, either playing another year or retiring?
Bitonio: He was supportive. He said any way I wanted to go, they were behind me. He said if I wanted to come back, they would make it work, and if I wanted to retire. He was understanding and appreciated that I wanted to try to chase a championship. He was very supportive.
Shuck: Did he offer to trade you to another team?
Bitonio: He was understanding if I wanted to keep playing and could maybe win a championship somewhere. He wasn’t going to hold me back. He wanted to keep me in Cleveland, but was supportive of any decision I made. I know he had some trade requests from other teams during the season, but I don’t think anything ever came from it.
Shuck: Did they offer you a deal to remain on the roster?
Bitonio: No, I never gave them an indication that I would be returning. So, it never got that far in negotiations.
Shuck: Did the Browns promise to hold your left guard spot until you had made a final decision?
Bitonio: I won’t say it was a promise, but more of an understanding. Berry did say if I wanted to come back, we’re going to make it work and play left guard as I have for the last 12 years. That decision was made before free agency, and that’s why they brought in Elgton Jenkins and those guys they brought in.
Shuck: Did you consider moving on as Wyatt Teller has done, or was it your goal to retire as a Cleveland Brown?
Bitonio: I know that’s the core right there with a lot of experience like Jack, who came in 2020, and Po in 2022, I think. I was with Jack for six years and Po for four. We got in the playoffs a couple of times with that group of guys. Seeing Wyatt in a different uniform is definitely difficult, but it wasn’t a determining factor for me. I appreciate that group and those guys because you go through battle with those guys. So, you grow, and you know their families and stuff, and have seen all of their children being born. But you also understand the business side of things. And I think with how young the overall roster was, there was a need to get your O-Line younger overall also. So, I think those decisions were kind of made, and maybe me and Jack was coming to an end, and Po obviously suffered that injury. It was probably time for all that to happen, but it’s never great when your boys are going to play for other teams.
Shuck: In 2023, the Browns’ offensive line ranked #3. This past year, in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals, it was four of the same five guys who started that 2023 season, minus Jedrick Wills, and plug in Dawand Jones. You have played next to and trusted these same guys for years. What was that like, lining up with the same guys again?
Bitonio: Yeah, it was good. As I said, when you play next to guys for multiple years, it’s awesome to be familiar with guys I started the most games with and know we’re going to be next to each other. We played a lot of games together, so you know and trust where they’re going to be, any pulls, and you don’t even move or communicate in the pass off twist. All of that you’ve grown to know. So, you know that when things are bad, they come out there and compete with you, trying to find a way to win.
Shuck: Your final game as a Cleveland Brown was on the road against the Bengals; your team won the game 20-18. It wasn’t like you won the Super Bowl in your final game, but you went out a winner. If your team had lost, would it have forced you to play one more year?
Bitonio: For the season that we had, we were not a playoff team. We beat the Steelers in Week 17 and the Bengals in Week 18, once the season unfolded, it was the best way to finish out my career. Especially with a walk-off field goal. I had invited a lot of my family. It definitely put a smile on my face beating Pittsburgh and then Cincinnati in the last two games.
Shuck: What was it like seeing former linemates John Greco and J.C. Tretter come out to that Bengals game?
Bitonio: I had gotten a suite for my family in Cincinnati. Greco and JC watched the game there also. I had invited a lot of my family, agents, and friends to come, and John Greco and JC were some of the guys I had played with in the past.
Shuck: Dressing out in the Bengals visitor’s locker room before that game, did you think this might be your final game, or did those thoughts come afterwards?
Bitonio: We were like 99% sure this was going to be the last game. I was pretty confident. I had contemplated it the year before, and just the way this season had gone, plus the way my body was feeling, my back. I probably had thrown it out three times, including preseason. This year, my body was telling me, “It’s time to go.” I think if we were playing in the playoffs and we had a real shot of winning a Super Bowl, there would have been a chance to change my mind. But I was very confident that it was going to be my last game.
Shuck: Last year, one by one, all of the Browns’ Week 1 starting offensive linemen became injured. Towards the end, it was backups and practice squad guys, and you. Did you find yourself more as a mentor and a teacher rather than just a guy who wanted to show up for work?
Bitonio: It got to a point that Joe (Thomas) was such a force in my first four years, and he was there already. Then later on, it was a little bit of a roller coaster. We had Jed for a couple of years, and he was very solid. Then the left tackle position was a little bit up and down. In my last few years, I was thankful I was able to play every game, every snap. And I was still healthy to be out there. But football is so tough. Guys get banged up. And so, then it’s a young guy, and I want the best for him. You know, it’s his chance to audition and play tonight. I wanted to be at my best, and KT (Levenston) was out there, and Cam Robinson. I just wanted to show, as an example, that no matter what the scoreboard says, no matter what the record is, it’s our job. That was my motto, and try to help these young guys as much as possible.
Shuck: You have been blessed to play on two exceptional offensive lines at different junctures while with Cleveland. Tell me which offensive line was better: JT, you, Alex Mack, Greco, and Mitchell Schwartz, or Wills, you, Po, Wyatt, and Jack.
Bitonio: If that means which line was best, the first one had four All-Pros. Greco played 11 years, Mitchell was a four-time All-Pro, Alex was one of the best, and Joe was obviously one of the best ever. I was the young guy, learning and hadn’t reached that elite status, but was playing with elite players. I kinda lean towards that first line still.
Abby: What makes playing in Cleveland unique compared with other NFL cities?
Bitonio: I think it’s the passion of the fans that still shows. I think any other team in the league that would have to go through with the amount of losing, unfortunately, since 1999, and the fanbase would fall off, and stop showing up for games. But with the Cleveland fanbase here, every week they are tailgating and showing up in Browns jerseys, and filling the stadium regardless of our record. I think that was the coolest thing. I have met a lot of people from the City of Cleveland that maybe I met one time or two times, but they were just like, “Hey, we appreciate what you did for the city on and off the field.” That meant a lot to me. They accepted you as part of their home. It’s like what they love when they support their team, and they want to be part of the team as much as anybody. With the Browns, it always mattered.
Abby: Which defensive player was the toughest matchup you’ve faced?
Bitonio: I have only had to face him like three times, but Aaron Donald was a menace. He was so good, so strong, so powerful. Another guy who nobody knows about was Cam Heyward with the Steelers. He was older than I was, but I had two matchups a year. That was always a chess match.
Jared: You played in Cleveland for a long time. Was there a mom-and-pop/non-franchise food place that became a staple for you and your wife, Courtney?
Bitonio: We just had dinner there, but one of our favorites is “Fahrenheit.” Which is not a steakhouse, I would say it’s got basically American fusion. Chef Rocco (Whalen) and I became friends early in my career when he had his place on Tremont. I went there a few times, and then the last few years he actually built one downtown in one of the new buildings down there on Public Square. That is one of our favorite date spots we go to.
Jared: You had several offensive systems and coaches. Are there really big differences in the technique that each teaches, ala hand placement, first foot, etc., or is the teaching really more about the system differences?
Bitonio: I think the great ones are very detailed. I think the Bill Callahans of the world, they have some serious detail in every assignment. Some of the other ones, James Campen was a great coach and was a little bit different than Bill, but he kinda grew, like what fits you best as a player? So, there are definitely differences. In my mind, I was like, I want to take what’s best from each one of these guys and try to put it in my toolbox and make me an even more well-rounded player.
Editor’s note: Browns offensive line coaches during Joel Bitonio’s tenure: Andy Moeller, Hal Hunter, Bob Wylie, James Campen, Bill Callahan, Andy Dickerson, and Mike Bloomgren
Shuck: What was your mom, Debbie’s, advice to you about whether to retire or play another year?
Bitonio: She was supportive the whole way. She was like, whatever you need. She’s like, your body’s got to be there to support your kids. If I wanted to play one more year, she would have been supportive of that. She has been supportive in every decision I made, like when I wasn’t sure about playing one more year after 2024. I was like, I might be done, and she’s like, well, I understand. She kind of made me feel like I had one more in me. She’s been very supportive the whole way.
Shuck: What did Courtney want?
Bitonio: Courtney was ready for me to retire. I could tell her tomorrow I wanted to play again, she would support me, but I think if you put her on a lie detector test, she would be ready for me to retire after the last game. She just sees it behind the scenes more than anybody. Just the stress and the physical toll the game of football takes, there’s nothing like it in the world. You play 17 games a year, and Wednesday through Friday, you’re beat to crap from playing this game. No matter what you say, it affects the way you are in season. It affects what you can do for your family. It’s a blessing; I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I signed up for it. But it also affects your day-to-day and the stress levels you have in the summer. So, she was so happy, and she was ready in that sense, what it took on me, and she was like, “Okay, take your time.” But she was supportive.
Shuck: JT, JC, Alex, and Schwartz have all come and gone and had to make this decision to retire from the game at some point. Did you confer with any of them?
Bitonio: I’ve talked to Joe and Alex a couple of times about retiring. There were some good conversations. Joe’s decision came down to his body, and Alex ended up chasing a Super Bowl title with Atlanta. He went to play with (Kyle) Shanahan and had another opportunity to play with him after both left the Browns. And he came close, but he has back issues. There was a lot that he and I discussed. All of that confirmed it was the right time for me.
Shuck: So, tell me something you have eaten since you decided to retire that you would never eat because you were in offseason training.
Bitonio: I was allowed to eat anything I wanted so that I could remain 320 pounds. I actually eat more salads now than I ever did. I’m trying to cut a few pounds. I’m not quite sure if it’s losing weight. I’m a big food guy, eating steak, and all is great. I’m trying to add a little bit more greens and things like that now. I can’t weigh 320 anymore.
Shuck: Joe Thomas has gone into the meat business. Any chance you end up as one of his employees?
Bitonio: I might throw a few bucks his way because he’s all in on the meat business. He’s doing a good job and he feels like with his career when he gets his hands on something he goes all the way. Me and Mitchell were kind of joking the other day about it wouldn’t be for me to do that venture, but Joe is the right guy to attack it.
Shuck: You must get your teaching abilities from your mom. Could you see yourself coaching in your future?
Bitonio: Probably not at the college or NFL level. I see those guys and the amount of time they put into this business. It is not suitable for me at this time. I think I can see more of a consulting role or a role where I can work at a lower level with high school kids. Or a college team where I can watch tape or help in the summer.
Shuck: What are your thoughts on the new domed stadium?
Bitonio: I love playing outside. I feel the weather is part of the sport. Like, I know people are like they want to see the best against the best. But I think it’s like the wind and the snow and the grass and the stands, like that matters especially in Cleveland. Overall, I’m slightly disappointed in that. But for a financial decision, I see both sides of it. Besides the Browns, I can go to this super stadium, and I can have multiple events there, and there’s a chance we’ll get another draft held there. And I know they said something about needing a lot more hotels if there’s a chance to get a Super Bowl in Ohio. I know it’s taking a chance. I know it’s going to be a first-class presentation to kind of show the facility. So, what they’re going to do for the locker rooms there and all those things. It’s going to be a legit stadium.
Shuck: Have you been watching the World Cup?
Bitonio: I’ve had games on, but I really have only watched the USA games. I’m like the guy who watches soccer once every four years and knows things, but I’m not an expert.
Shuck: So, you live in Avon, and you and Courtney are from California. Each of y’all still has family that lives in Cali. Have you considered going back to the Pacific Ocean, or are your plans to remain in Ohio and perhaps bring your mom out to live in Northeast Ohio?
Bitonio: All of our families are in Denver and further west. I do think we’re spending another season in Cleveland, and just give our kids one more year of snow. I actually can be a fan of the Cleveland Browns and maybe help out a little bit in the media content department with the team. We’ll see where that takes us, no pressure. Be a little bit more involved in the community. No full-court press in football. My family still lives in California, and they aren’t fans of cold-weather games.
Shuck: Let me give you a list. Gale Sayers. Dick Butkus. Dan Marino. Barry Sanders. Larry Fitzgerald. Myles Garrett. Bruce Smith. Anthony Munoz. These are some of the greatest players in NFL history to never win a Super Bowl. Was this the one achievement you feel that you missed out on?
Bitonio: I look back on my career, and it’s like the one thing. Coming to this league, I played 12 years for one team, the Cleveland Browns. I had seven Pro Bowls, several First and Second Team All-Pros, was nominated for the “Walter Payton Man of the Year” for my team, won the media “Good Guy Award” six times, was named captain six times, and signed three contracts. I accomplished everything I could accomplish. It is a regret that I couldn’t win a Super Bowl. But I concluded that a left guard for a team can only do so much. I wish I could have a bigger impact on it. I wish I had the opportunity to get one of those, but that’s kind of where I stand in that situation.
Shuck: You are still a young man. If you are honest with yourself, you have a couple of seasons left inside of you. Besides being a dad more than ever, what now?
Bitonio: As you said, besides being a dad more than ever, I try to go golfing a couple of times a week. Nothing crazy. Maybe something with the Browns during training camp, with some podcast content with them, or some of the radio stations. But nothing concrete. I want to be in the drop-off line at my kid’s school and in the pickup line. Spend time with our families during the holidays because that was always so hard when I was playing. And hang some Christmas stuff. I think it will sort out, and after a few months, then we’ll see what opportunities are out there for me.
Shuck: Nobody on the current roster is wearing #95. Nobody is wearing #73. And no player is wearing your #75. Is that fitting?
Bitonio: I think so. I think especially for Joe. It’s hard to retire anyway. But for him to be first-ballot Hall of Fame and be the best guy in the world, I think he’s always going to be around. One day, they will have to retire his number. And if the Browns want to hold off on issuing number 75, I appreciate it. It shows respect. But I understand that somebody is going to wear 75 at some point and not forever.
Shuck: Every American major sports league has retired one elite player’s jersey number for every member team. It has been suggested to the NFL to have Jim Brown’s number 32 retired league-wide. Your thoughts?
Bitonio: I didn’t know that in every sport, they have retired one jersey for every team. Jim Brown was an unbelievable player, and did so much during the civil rights movement and the black community on social issues. It was really cool because he was around the team a lot. I got to know him, and he was a really great man. If the NFL wanted to recognize him now that he is gone, retiring his jersey league-wide really fits.
Editor’s note: Major League Baseball has retired #42 (Jackie Robinson) league-wide, the NBA has retired #6 (Bill Russell), and the NHL has retired #99 (Wayne Gretzky). MLS, the Premier League, and the NFL have not followed this trend.
Shuck: You know that every year, the offensive line gets decimated by injuries. Not being a homer, I am predicting the Browns will win 12 games this year. Let’s say that the team is 8-2 and fighting to win the division and most likely playoff-bound, and just about everyone in the O-Line room is struggling to play or is on IR. Andrew Berry calls and asks you to return to help finish out the year. Tell me what that conversation is like.
Bitonio: Well, I’m already down 20 pounds from my playing weight, so I will be down 30 or 40 pounds by that point. I would appreciate the offer; I really would. But I made the decision. And besides, I would need a few months to really get into football shape. I would have to politely decline. My days of putting on a helmet are done. And besides, as an O-Lineman, you play every snap. There’s no time to rotate or be a part of it. The D-Line is on limited snaps as they are playing a rotation. We know that “football shape” is not the same as being “in shape.” You engage every play against a guy who is just as big and just as strong as you, who is trying to push you and shove you and hold you.
Abby Mueller and Jared Mueller contributed to this article
