Bitonio was a second-round pick in 2014 and was an immediate starter. After injuries early in his career, he was a fixture on the Browns’ offensive line, often the strength of the Cleveland offense during his runs. In 2025, he passed Joe Thomas for the most starts in a Browns jersey since 1999 (178).
“Joel Bitonio set the standard for on-field excellence, professionalism and loyalty during his 12-year career with our company,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said in a statement. “Few have accomplished as much as Joel has accomplished in his 178 starts. With seven Pro Bowls, five All-Pro selections and being the best interior lineman at his peak, we celebrate a career that should be tied to Canton.”
“Everybody knows Joel’s accomplishments on the field, but he was able to lift the building during his tenure because he’s a Hall of Famer. He was our longest-serving captain, Walter Payton Man of the Year, and his dedication to Northeast Ohio both within the walls of 76 Lou Groza Boulevard and beyond is his next phase in all of our lives, though he will always be his next phase in all of our lives. The Browns family. We look forward to of the day when he will be inducted into our Ring of Honor and Dawg Pound Captain.”
Bitonio was a free agent and decided he would rather retire from Brown than pursue a Lombardi Trophy opportunity with another club.
“When I looked at my career and all that I had accomplished – All-Pros, Pro Bowls, snaps and playoffs – there was only one thing I still hoped to achieve: a Super Bowl,” Bitonio wrote. “A small part of me thought about wanting to pursue 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 end. For that dream to come true, I couldn’t be more grateful.”
“To the city of Cleveland, our loyal fan base, the Haslam family and the entire Browns organization, thank you. Thank you for 12 years of unwavering support and unforgettable memories.”