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Good things haven\u2019t come often for the\u00a0Cleveland Browns\u00a0over the last year, but they did receive some very welcomed news on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
When the 2024 season ended, longtime Browns LG Joel Bitonio said he would take some time to decide on his playing future. After taking a couple of months to think about it, Bitonio has made his decision clear.<\/p>\n
The Browns will have their longest-tenured player back in 2025 for season No. 12 with the team. Bitonio is still a very good offensive lineman and he is not quite ready to hang it up yet.<\/p>\n
A decision was always coming soon for Bitonio, who is due a $3 million roster bonus on March 15th. Expect the Browns to potentially convert that into a signing bonus to create some cap space for the team. Bitonio played 1,177 offensive snaps in 2024, which is the most he\u2019s recorded in a single season as a professional.<\/p>\n
Bitonio has been a gem of a pick since the Browns selected him out of Nevada in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Since then, Bitonio has been named an All-Pro five times and a Pro Bowler seven times. Bitonio\u2019s 161 starts are the second most behind only Joe Thomas since the team returned in 1999.<\/p>\n
Cleveland now has one less thing to worry about in free agency with Bitonio back. If the Browns were to lose Bitonio to retirement, they wouldn\u2019t have a surefire starter to replace him on the roster. Cleveland likely would have had to spend in free agency, make a trade, or draft one high. Now, all the Browns have to focus on is finding his successor. Second-year G Zak Zinter can eventually be that player for the team, though he isn\u2019t just yet.<\/p>\n
The Browns are likely to bring in a rookie quarterback and having the best front possible is key. Having a leader like Bitonio in the huddle is a huge benefit to a rookie. Cleveland\u2019s All-Pro left guard has given up just nine sacks total in the last five seasons.<\/p>\n
There wasn\u2019t always a ton of optimism that Bitonio would be returning. Now that it is known that he is, the Browns have one worry off their plate.<\/p>\n
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