Browns guard Joel Bitonio retires after 12 NFL seasons

Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joel Bitonio announced Tuesday that he is retiring after 12 NFL seasons, ending a career spent entirely with the franchise. Bitonio leaves as one of the club’s longest-serving recent players and a fixture on the interior of the offensive line.

Bitonio entered the league as a second-round pick in the 2014 draft and went on to start 178 regular-season games for Cleveland. Officials said his résumé includes seven Pro Bowl selections, three second-team All-Pro nods and two first-team All-Pro honors.

In remarks during his retirement press conference, Bitonio reflected on lessons learned from veterans during his time in the league. He also referenced his 2014 draft class, noting that he was selected the same year as quarterback Johnny Manziel and that the two were briefly roommates early in their Browns careers.

Context from Bitonio’s retirement remarks

Bitonio said he took away “some things not to do” from Manziel, a comment framed as hindsight about that period. The comparison underlined how differently the two careers unfolded after arriving in Cleveland together.

Manziel, a first-round pick in 2014, was released after two seasons with the Browns. The source excerpt states he made eight starts and finished 2-6 as a starter.

What the Browns lose on the offensive line

Bitonio’s retirement creates a significant vacancy for Cleveland up front, given his long run of availability and high-end recognition at guard. His departure adds an immediate roster decision for the team heading into the next season as it assesses internal options and potential replacements.

Bitonio’s career arc — 12 seasons in one uniform and consistent honors — stands out in an era of frequent roster churn and underscores the stability he provided to Cleveland’s offense over more than a decade.