The Cleveland Browns‘ offensive line could look much different in 2026.
Cleveland has several pending free agents, and one of the biggest is left guard Joel Bitonio. Bitonio has spent his entire career with the Browns and is a seven-time Pro Bowler, but the 2025 season could be his last.
Browns insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic believes this will be the final season Bitonio plays with the Browns, and could be the final year of his career.
“Bitonio has been clear that he has made no decisions about his football future,” Jackson wrote. “But he considered retirement last year, and he’s also said on multiple occasions that he doesn’t plan to play anywhere else. So, we’ll assume that Bitonio is probably down to his final three home games in Cleveland while keeping the door open for a potential 13th season.
“Bitonio has been rugged and durable, and he’ll certainly be a member of the franchise’s legends class as soon as he’s eligible. It’s hard to see him wanting to come back to a mess of an offense, and a mess is all the Cleveland offense has made over the last two seasons.”
Bitonio was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Browns. Since then, he’s been a key part of their offensive line for years. The star offensive guard is a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro.
Bitonio Contemplated Retirement Last Season
After the Browns had another disappointing season in 2025, Bitonio admitted he thought about retiring.
The 34-year-old has played plenty of snaps and has wear and tear on his body. Before the season started in the summer, Bitonio admitted he thought about retirement and not playing this season.
“At the end of the year, I was truly deciding if I wanted to play anymore,” Bitonio said. “We went through the process, and I was like, I could still play football at a high level. I still want to play football.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, meanwhile, was ecstatic that Bitonio was returning for the 2025 season.
“Obviously, I was hopeful that Joel would be back,” Stefanski said. “He’s been here with me every step of the way, he’s been a huge part of what we do on the football field. He’s a huge part of who we are off the field. I think it was no small thing when we put that golf simulator in Berea. I think that certainly maybe tipped the scales in our favor. But he’s a pros pro. I think he’s a future Hall of Famer, so I’m thrilled he’s back.”
Bitono is a free agent at the end of the season, but is carrying a 2026 salary-cap number of $23.5 million through past contract accelerations.
Browns Dealing With O-Line Injuries Ahead of Week 14
Cleveland is set to host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and the team is dealing with some key injuries to the offensive line.
Stefanski announced that Wyatt Teller is out with an injury. Browns’ star tackle Jack Conklin, meanwhile, is in concussion protocol.
“Jack Conklin remains in concussion protocol. Wyatt Teller has a calf injury. I’d call it week to week. So, we’ll see how those guys come out of it in the next few days,” Stefanski said on Monday.
The Browns are 4.5-point favorites over the Titans on Sunday.
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