The Cleveland Browns were in an unusual situation: they publicly backed a key player on the team while getting ready for life without him.

During the pre-draft media availability, Berry talked directly about the uncertainty surrounding Joel Bitonio's choice to come back for another season.

"Joel has been a foundational player for the organization. He's everything that we could have asked as a Brown," Berry said on April 16. "He needs to make the decision on his own timeline. Just simple as that. And he's earned that right. He will have that right. We'll be ready either way."

So, per Berry, the organization is ready with or without Bitonio, but the 34-year-old guard has the full right to decide his future on his own.

There is a lot of weight behind those words, and it's not just feelings; it's a decade of elite production.

Bitonio, who was drafted by the Browns in 2014, has started 178 games in his entire career with the team. He has earned the Pro Bowl seven times and the first team All-Pro two times.

His current hesitation is more important because he is so durable.

Bitonio has said that retirement is on his mind. He called this the "weirdest" offseason of his career as he thought about his health and future.

"It is the weirdest offseason because I've finished my contract with the Cleveland Browns and I'm sure people are, like, 'Oh, he's gonna retire; he's not gonna retire,'" Bitonio told Nevada Sports Net.

And the reason uncertainty is so heavy is because of what Bitonio's body has been through.

Joel Bitonio Hits Free Agency With His Browns Future Still Up in the Air

When his contract was officially voided this March, Joel Bitonio became a free agent.

For most of his career, Bitonio has been consistent. But his streak was once broken in 2015, then in 2016 and again in 2023.

In 2015, he played in just 10 games due to an ankle injury. Then in 2016, he was limited to just five games as he suffered a Lisfranc injury in his left foot.

In the 2023 season, he again missed two games due to a knee injury. So, keeping all this in mind, Bitonio is contemplating his future in the league.

"I'm just kind of living life right now. I've been spending a lot of time with family, and I've played football for 25 years, so any decision you make is a big decision," Bitonio said.

Bitonio was on a one-year, $15 million extension with the Browns. Out of which $14.6 million was guaranteed.

Now, for the 2026 season, Spotrac projects his market value to be around $12.9 million. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore