Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (tied with long snapper Charley Hughlett) is the longest-tenured player on the Cleveland Browns.
But for how much longer?
Last week, Bitonio expressed some concerns about his long-term health, age, and team success as his 11th NFL season has come to a close. Bitonio stated he did not see himself putting on another team’s helmet and would retire a member of the Browns, but he expressed some doubt on the timeframe of when that would happen.
Speaking after the loss to the Ravens on Saturday, however, Bitonio used language that made it sound like he may not be done just yet. Here is what Bitonio had to say on an abysmal 2024 season:
“I was not expecting this. I don’t think the team was expecting this. We’ve got to find a way to turn it around. We’ve got to find some answers. We’ve got to look in the mirror. It was a disappointing season.”
Outside of the extreme disappointment, the “we” language that Bitonio is using makes it sound like his retirement may not be imminent. While the Browns drafted a guard in Zak Zinter in the third round last April, potentially planning for their life beyond Bitonio, he does have one year left on his contract in 2025.
We won’t know until Bitonio himself gives an answer, which is expected after he takes some time off to talk to his family and see how his body is feeling. Getting Bitonio back for one more year to give the team another 365 days to reinforce their offensive line and roster before losing another big part of their locker room.