BEREA, OH - AUGUST 12: Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) and Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joel Bitonio (75) during drills during the Cleveland Browns Training Camp on August 12, 2018, at the at the Cleveland Browns Training Facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire) NFL American Football Herren USA AUG 12 Browns Training Camp PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon180812110
BEREA, OH - AUGUST 12: Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett (95) and Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joel Bitonio (75) during drills during the Cleveland Browns Training Camp on August 12, 2018, at the at the Cleveland Browns Training Facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire) NFL American Football Herren USA AUG 12 Browns Training Camp PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon180812110
Jan 3, 2026, 1:30 PM CUT
Myles Garrett and Joel Bitonio Rewarded Big honors ahead of the Bengals clash
The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) have bestowed awards on defensive end Myles Garrett and offensive lineman Joel Bitonio for their performances in the 2025 season.
On Friday, the Cleveland Browns announced that Garrett was unanimously voted the Joe Thomas Award winner for the third consecutive year and fifth time overall. Meanwhile, Bitonio won the PFWA Dino Lucarelli 'Good Guy Award' for the sixth time overall.
In terms of sacks and tackles for loss, Garrett is leading the league with 22 and 32, respectively. Garrett is tied for making the third-most sacks in a season in the league’s history. He is currently chasing the NFL record for most sacks by a player in a season, which stands at 22.5.
Joel Bitonio, on the other hand, has been appreciated for his conduct within the team, community, and “cooperation with the media.”
The 34-year-old had won this award five times, and this season marks his third consecutive award. Apart from Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio is one of the only two players to earn this award more than once.
Joel Bitonio still has faith
The Cleveland Browns, ranked 4th in the AFC North, have struggled to win four games and have lost 12. Meanwhile, Garrett and Bitonio getting these awards echoes what critics have been saying about Kevin Stefanski's shortcomings in building the roster.
"He wasted Nick Chuub, he wasted Joel Bitonio, Myles Garrett. He’s wasted Denzel Ward. He’s wanted this window. So why does he get the opportunity to continue?" Daryl Ruiter argued on the 92.3 The Fan podcast.
"He had a team built to win consistently and ruined it. He put together the worst WR room in the NFL, the OL is in shambles," added Ruiter.
However, one of the award winners, Joel Bitonio, has publicly defended his head coach. “I think he's a good football coach,” Bitonio said.
"And he will tell you firsthand, winning matters in this league, and we haven't done that. But as a coach goes, I have the highest respect for him, what he's done here," he added.
As the Browns gear up to face the Bengals this weekend, one can hope these awards have brought new encouragement for one last strong regular-season performance.
Written by
Akanksha Biradar
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi