7-Time Pro Bowl Superstar Announces His Shocking Retirement Out Of Nowhere

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

The Cleveland Browns have navigated multiple changes during the 2026 NFL offseason. While they will run the quarterback competition again, they have more issues to address.

Myles Garrett is out, and they landed Jared Verse in exchange for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year, setting the tone for the future of the franchise. Additionally, they will have more young players to build around for the mid-term.

While some arrive, others go. On Tuesday, one of the most beloved players on the roster announced his retirement from the NFL.

Joel Bitonio Announces End Of His Career

After 12 seasons with the AFC North franchise, Joel Bitonio announced his decision to retire from the league. He spent his whole career with the Browns as one of the longest-tenured players in franchise history.

“There was never a point where I could envision myself in a different uniform,” Bitonio wrote. “I started the job here, and once I got to a certain point, I knew I wanted to finish the job in Cleveland.”

He retired as a two-time First-Team All-Pro after the team drafted him in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. He reflected on his journey and how he wanted to emulate Joe Thomas, who never missed a snap with the Browns. Bitionio said he tried to play every snap as long as he felt healthy, marking an era in Browns history.