The Cleveland Browns are still awaiting word about Joel Bitonio’s plans. The seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro is still a free agent after a dozen years manning left guard for the Browns, and there hasn’t been much discussion about him this offseason, as many aren’t sure whether or not he plans to keep playing.
The big waves of free agency have come and gone without a whisper of where Bitonio might end up. That is beginning to change as a pair of contenders were recently connected to him and could inquire about his services. Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport recently wrote about eight veteran free agents who he believes are still capable of having a big impact in 2026.
He included Bitonio on his list and listed the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers as teams who should check in on him and see if they can coax him away from retirement.
“It’s not certain that Joel Bitonio will even play again in 2026—at the conclusion of his 12th professional season, the 34-year-old Bitonio told reporters that he wasn’t sure if he would step onto an NFL field again. However, if Bitonio does decide to give it one more go, there should be multiple teams lined up to sign him. Because while Bitonio may be old, he also continues to play at a high level. There are contending teams like the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers who could absolutely use an upgrade inside. The idea of actually winning some football games should be appealing to Bitonio,” Davenport wrote.
Franchise legend Joe Thomas still believes the Browns have big needs on the offensive line, but after the moves GM Andrew Berry made in free agency, the only true remaining void is at left tackle, which is likely to be addressed in the draft.
Cleveland splurged on Zion Johnson in free agency to take over at left guard, so the offense is in good hands with Bitonio’s successor. The Chargers and Niners had extensive injury issues in the trenches last season and would be wise to hit up Bitonio to at least gauge his temperature.
Retirement rumors have been swirling around him for a couple of years, but if he hasn’t come out and officially announced that he is done, he seems like someone who could be easily swayed into another year or two.
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