As G Joel Bitonio stood on the edge of the golf course at Westwood Country Club as part of the Cleveland Browns Foundation Golf Tournament, he felt like his golf game was trending in a positive direction. He's been in the golf simulator at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, a new addition to the practice facility for the Browns.

He's also been back at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during the offseason program to prepare for the 2025 season after he officially decided to return to the Browns for the upcoming season.

The decision to return for his 12th season with the Browns and continue his NFL was truly that – a decision. Following the conclusion of a disappointing 2024 season in which the Browns went 3-14, Bitonio wanted to take the offseason to assess his future. He took 1,177 offensive snaps during the 2024 season – the most in a season for his 11-year career. He played in all 17 games last season, as well as started each game.

"At the end of the year, I was truly deciding if I wanted to play anymore," Bitonio said. "We went through the process, and I was like, I could still play football at a high level. I still want to play football."

Bitonio was first drafted by the Browns in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft and has spent his entire NFL career in Cleveland. He is a five-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. His seven Pro Bowl selections are fourth in team history, trailing just Pro Football Hall of Famers Joe Thomas (10), Jim Brown (9) and Lou Groza (9). He is 13^th all-time in games played by a Brown, and second behind Thomas in most starts by a Brown since 1999 with 161.

His decorated career has another chapter which will include the 2025 season.

"Obviously, I was hopeful that Joel would be back," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "He's been here with me every step of the way. He's been a huge part of what we do on the football field. He's a huge part of who we are off the field. I think it was no small thing when we put that golf simulator in Berea. I think that certainly maybe tipped the scales in our favor. But he's a pros pro. I think he's a future Hall of Famer, so I'm thrilled he's back."

Bitonio said he spent the early part of the offseason reflecting and having conversations with his family as well as Stefanski and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Andrew Berry. In those conversations, Bitonio said they discussed the style of offense the Browns were going to run and their goals for the quarterback position. He watched as they brought in QB Kenny Pickett in a trade with the Eagles and signed QB Joe Flacco – someone Bitonio developed a relationship with back in the 2023 season.

He noted how they drafted two rookie quarterbacks to build out the competition in the quarterback room, as well as added depth to bolster the offensive and defensive line in free agency and the draft. All their moves helped paint the picture of what the Browns could look like on both sides of the ball.

Bitonio also said offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren played a significant role in his decision to return. They went to dinner a handful of times and discussed Bloomgren's coaching philosophies and expectations, as well as aspects of their personal lives and their families. Following all those conversations, Bitonio decided to continue his playing career.

"At the end of the day, I was like, I'm not ready to be done," Bitonio said. "I want to play more, and I want to play in Cleveland. And that was my mindset."

The Browns are in the midst of organized team activities (OTAs), which are voluntary practices ahead of mandatory veteran minicamp set for June 10-12. Bitonio has been at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for different stages of the offseason, participating in meetings and learning the offensive scheme, as well as being in the weight room with his teammates.

He sees one of their strengths as an offense in their offensive line with T Jack Conklin's experience in outside zone, G Wyatt Teller's talent as a puller and power blocker and C Ethan Pocic has a well-rounded skillset that is beneficial in outside zone and power schemes.

Bitonio knows that in order for the Browns to establish a high level of toughness, it starts up front with the offensive line. While that message has come from Stefanski, it's also come from Bloomgren specifically to the offensive line. As Bitonio has spent time around his new offensive line coach, he's noted Bloomgren's attention to detail, his goal of helping the offensive line improve each day and his high level of energy.

As the Browns continue through the remainder of the offseason program and return for training camp in the end of July, there is hope and belief that they can improve from 2024 and win games in the 2025 season. While they hold the belief, Bitonio said it also requires the necessary work. He's seen that work develop early in OTAs and expects the work to continue in mandatory veteran minicamp and through training camp.

"We're not resting on any laurels or playoffs or anything like that," Bitonio said. "It's a new team, and we have to establish our standard and what we want the Browns to be."