Joel Bitonio retires, impacting 49ers' offensive line plans
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 9, 2026, 10:26 PM
Last updated Jun 9, 2026
Veteran offensive lineman Joel Bitonio announced his retirement from the NFL after 12 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Though he was an unrestricted free agent this offseason and drew some speculation about potentially joining the San Francisco 49ers, there was no formal interest reported from the team. At 34, Bitonio was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time first-team All-Pro. With his retirement, the 49ers will need to explore other options for their left guard position, currently filled by 2025 seventh-round pick Connor Colby, who has limited experience in the NFL.
- •Joel Bitonio retires after 12 seasons with the Browns.
- •He was previously rumored as a target for the 49ers.
- •Bitonio made seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 2018 to 2024.
- •The 49ers' left guard role may rely on Connor Colby, a 2025 draft pick.
- •San Francisco will seek other options in free agency.
- 10:26 PMYahoo Sports — Potential 49ers free-agent target retires from NFL
"Joel Bitonio played 12 seasons for the Browns but was an unrestricted free agent during the 2026 offseason.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- NFL•Jun 9, 2026, 11:34 PMBrowns' Todd Monken reveals QB plan amid Shedeur Sanders vs. Deshaun Watson battle
- NFL•Jun 9, 2026, 11:02 PMFormer 4th-round pick floated as cut candidate for Chicago Bears in 2026
- NFL•Jun 9, 2026, 11:00 PMHow an NBA GM helped facilitate a recent NFL blockbuster trade
- NFL•Jun 9, 2026, 10:49 PMCleveland Browns: Is there a problem with these 2 key veterans?
- NFL•Jun 9, 2026, 10:23 PMLane Johnson: I didn't want to go out on last season
- NFL•Jun 9, 2026, 9:28 PMWhen is the right time for Todd Monken to decide on Cleveland’s quarterback? Browns Reacts Survey
