Retirement decision pushed to March
Bitonio and the Browns have pushed the void date on his contract to the start of the new league year on March 11, giving him additional time to decide whether to retire or return for the 2026 season, Dan Labbe of cleveland.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio's contract had been slated to void Feb. 16, but he'll now have nearly an extra month to weigh his options. Were Bitonio's contract to void, Cleveland would take on over $23 million in dead cap, so it stands to reason that the veteran guard will either ink an extension or be released by March 11, depending on his decision. The 34-year-old offensive lineman continued to perform at a high level across his 17 regular-season appearances in 2025.
Bitonio's contract had been slated to void Feb. 16, but he'll now have nearly an extra month to weigh his options. Were Bitonio's contract to void, Cleveland would take on over $23 million in dead cap, so it stands to reason that the veteran guard will either ink an extension or be released by March 11, depending on his decision. The 34-year-old offensive lineman continued to perform at a high level across his 17 regular-season appearances in 2025.
NFL Stats
Loading NFL Stats...
Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Loading Weekly Snap Counts...
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Joel Bitonio See More
Dive into the 2026 NFL Draft with this two-round mock draft and learn about the next wave of future NFL stars. Jeremiyah Love won't be the only Notre Dame running back drafted.
NFL game preview for the Week 15 Monday night matchup with betting picks and fantasy football tips to help you prep for Dolphins-Steelers.
NFL game preview for the Week 15 Sunday night matchup with betting picks and fantasy football tips to help you prep for Vikings-Cowboys.
NFL game preview for the Week 15 matchups with betting picks and fantasy football tips to help you prep for Sunday's games.
Friday's NFL injury report for Week 15, with key updates, player news and fantasy football implications to help you make smart lineup decisions.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2015
2014
Bitonio hasn't missed a game in his last five seasons and returns as the Browns' starting left guard.
More Fantasy News
Able to play Sunday
Bitonio (knee/back) is active for Sunday's battle against the Bears.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Will play in 2025
The Browns announced Wednesday that Bitonio will return for the 2025 season.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Contemplating retirement
Bitonio is deciding whether or not to retire and expects to inform the Browns of his decision before the start of free agency, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Set to play Week 9
Bitonio (foot) will play Sunday versus the Chargers, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Dealing with foot issue
Bitonio (foot) won't practice Wednesday, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Could be trade candidate
Bitonio is a candidate to get traded mid-season, Seth Walder of ESPN suggests.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio has spent the entirety of his 11-year career in Cleveland, but he was rumored to be considering retirement this offseason with the Browns seemingly in the middle of another rebuild. He's set to serve as the starting left guard in Week 1 against the Bengals, but a trade to a contender might be in order to open up a spot for Teven Jenkins, who is six years younger than Bitonio.
Bitonio has spent the entirety of his 11-year career in Cleveland, but he was rumored to be considering retirement this offseason with the Browns seemingly in the middle of another rebuild. He's set to serve as the starting left guard in Week 1 against the Bengals, but a trade to a contender might be in order to open up a spot for Teven Jenkins, who is six years younger than Bitonio.