Longtime Cleveland Browns left guard Joel Bitonio revealed his retirement Tuesday after 12 seasons in the NFL.

Bitonio, 34, played his entire career with Cleveland after the team selected him 35th overall in the 2014 draft. He earned seven Pro Bowl nods, matching Myles Garrett for the fourth-most selections in franchise history.

He also earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2021 and 2022. Bitonio received the Browns' Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2022 and captured the team's Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award on two occasions (2018, 2023).

"Truthfully, as time passed and my career kept going, there was never a point where I could envision myself in a different uniform," Bitonio wrote in a farewell letter. "Wearing that orange helmet and being part of this franchise - from getting drafted to signing three contracts - I felt a loyalty to the Browns, and it gave me a sense of pride to represent a fan base who is consistently loyal to us. I started the job here, and once I got to a certain point, I knew I wanted to finish the job in Cleveland.

"Now that job is finished. After 12 seasons of wearing No. 75 in brown and orange, I have officially decided to retire."

Bitonio's 178 starts rank as the most by any Browns player since the franchise returned to Cleveland in 1999. He remained the longest-tenured player on the roster until his contract voided in March, which made him an unrestricted free agent.

Bitonio considered retirement last year but chose to return for one final season. In 2025, he placed third among 65 qualifying guards in ESPN's pass block win rate metric and 16th out of 62 guards in run block win rate.

During locker room cleanout day in January, a teary-eyed Bitonio looked back on his career.

"[I look back on my career] with great pride," Bitonio said. "It's hard to put into words. Just try to give it everything. It's tough. You try and go out there and be the best version of yourself and do what you can to help the team win. And I try to do that every day. That's what I did."

With new head coach Todd Monken leading the way and Bitonio among six offensive linemen entering free agency, the Browns revamped their trenches this offseason. Cleveland acquired right tackle Tytus Howard via trade, added interior offensive linemen Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins, and brought back Teven Jenkins. The Browns also selected left tackle Spencer Fano with the ninth overall pick in the 2026 draft.