Joel

Bitonio

Already young at quarterback, running back, and tight end, this statement reads like an admission that the Browns plan to completely retool the offensive line in 2026. Cleveland’s entire main starting line from 2025 — Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, Cam Robinson, Jack Conklin, and Ethan Pocic — are all free agents. So is swingman Teven Jenkins. Bitonio, entering what would be his age-35 season, is a candidate to retire. The fact that the Browns are, per Chris Easterling, embarking on a plan that “almost assuredly lower the average age on the roster” would seem to make it plausible that they could bring back just a scant few of last year’s linemen. It would likely help keep the Browns skill positions players as “hard to trust” in fantasy football if the Browns offensive line underwent a ton of turnover, even if they upgraded at some positions.

Right tackle Jack Conklin remains out of practice with a concussion and left guard Joel Bitonio remains out with a back issue. Teller’s return will help a struggling Browns offense, but it isn’t going to change their fortunes overnight. Expect this to be a low-wattage offense for the remainder of the season.

That makes two weeks in a row where Conklin will sit with a concussion, and he didn’t practice all week. Joel Bitonio (knee/back) is questionable after not practicing either of the first two days, while Wyatt Teller (calf) remains out. Cleveland’s OL injuries are dire enough that we must point out that Zak Zinter (back) is also questionable.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Bitonio only has a chance to play “because of experience” after missing all three practices this week with a back injury. Cleveland would likely shuttle Teven Jenkins into a starting role if Bitonio missed Sunday’s game.

Bitonio has now missed back-to-back days to start the week with this new back listing. It’s possible he misses Cleveland’s Week 3 game against the Packers on Sunday, but linemen usually get more leeway on not practicing, particular veterans like Bitonio, when they are hurt. We’d be unsurprised if he was listed with a questionable tag on Friday.

Bitonio is a 12-year veteran and no stranger to playing through injuries. Thursday’s injury report will be a bit more telling. Joe Flacco has done a good job avoiding sacks this year, taking just two in each of his first two games back in Cleveland. Losing Bitonio would likely force him to get the ball out quicker, resulting in more check-downs, but that’s something to think about only if Bitonio is unable to suit up later this week.

Bitonio, 33, has mulled retirement in the past, but the long-time Brown refuses to say when he’ll officially call it quits. He did shoot down any ideas of a retirement tour, however, as he prepares for what will be his 12th NFL season. Bitonio signed a three-year, $48 million contract extension with the Browns in 2021 that will keep him under contract through this season. Bitonio has started all 161 games he has appeared in for the Browns and earned a PFF blocking grade of 63.9 last season, playing more than 1,000 snaps for the eighth consecutive season.

This despite Cleveland’s recent signing of Teven Jenkins. The Browns’ offensive line was hit hard by injuries last season, and both Teller (30 years old) and incumbent LG Joel Bitonio (33 years old) are scheduled to hit free agency next offseason. The 27-year-old Jenkins received a one-year, $3.05 million prove-it deal, giving him the chance to earn a multi-year contract as either Teller or Bitonio’s replacement. Jenkins has experience playing both left guard and right guard. Teller has declined handily from his 2020-2021 peak while dealing with injuries, posting a 62.6 PFF grade in 2024 that was his lowest since 2019.

Bitonio talked about retirement well before the end of the 2024 season, telling reporters multiple times he would consider moving on from football in the offseason. Just before the start of free agency, Bitonio has decided to give it at least another year. He started all 17 games last year and hasn’t missed more than two games since 2016. Who will he be blocking for under center in Week 1? Your guess is as good as ours.

Bitonio said back in December that he would take some time this offseason to consider retirement. Not much as changed here as the 33-year-old guard told reporters that retirement is “definitely within the realm of possibilities.” The seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro also mentioned that he was leaning one way but wasn’t ready to share it. The tentative timeline for his decision is the start of free agency. Bitonio has one year left on his contract with the Browns and also mentioned in December that he doesn’t envision himself joining another team. Cleveland could be looking at a massive rebuild given its quarterback issues, Myles Garrett asking out and potentially Bitonio’s retirement.