Joel Bitonio isn’t sure if the matchup with the Steelers today will be his final game at Huntington Bank Field.
If he does return for a 13th season, he knows exactly who he wants as coach. The one who’s been in charge of the Browns for the last six years.
“He’s a good coach in the NFL,” the standout left guard said of Kevin Stefanski. “He will tell you first that winning matters and we haven’t done that (lately). But as a coach goes, I have the highest respect for him, what he’s done here.”
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Stefanski’s future is uncertain with the Browns sitting at 3-12 and two games remaining. Ownership knew victories would be hard to come by this season with a young roster and a revolving door at quarterback but also stressed the importance of increasing the win total from the three in 2024.
While many fans are eager for a fresh start, Bitonio feels dumping Stefanski would be short-sighted.
Browns LG Joel Bitonio wants coach Kevin Stefanski to stay and says he’s proved he can win. pic.twitter.com/rX7P6a0OSE
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) December 24, 2025
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“I know it is what you’ve done now, but we’ve been to two playoffs. We’ve had winning records. We’ve been competitive,” Bitonio said during the week. “Where we’re at right now, we don’t want to be there. But I think if we get the right pieces and we keep improving, I think that’s a guy you can build around.
“Two-time Coach of the Year, he has respect of his peers. He’s even-keeled. I think you saw this last week, the team is motivated to play. We’re trying to win games. I think he has the respect of the locker room. I think it’s just a guy you keep around and you build around. And that would be my focus if I was in charge of that.”
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski stands on the field last Sunday during a game against the Bills at Huntington Bank Field.
AP
Bitonio began his career as the No. 35 pick in 2014 with Mike Pettine as coach. Hue Jackson replaced Pettine after two seasons, Gregg Williams was the interim coach after Jackson was fired after 2½ seasons and Freddie Kitchens was one-and-done before Stefanski became a head coach for the first time and gave the Browns the stability they had been searching for since returning to the NFL in 1999.
Stefanski led them to 11 wins and the playoffs in his first season in 2020. Not only did Cleveland end a 17-season postseason drought, it won a wild card game in Pittsburgh.
The Browns returned to the playoffs in 2023 with 11 wins despite starting five quarterbacks, but things have gone downhill since. Quarterback Deshaun Watson couldn’t stay healthy or produce when he was, the roster got older and expensive and the long-term quarterback situation has yet to be resolved. Stefanski’s record fell to 43-56.
“Some of the other coaches that I’ve played for, they didn’t have 11 wins. They didn’t have playoff wins. They didn’t have playoff appearances. They didn’t have a six-year sample size,” Bitonio said. “We are not where we want to be. We expect to be higher. When you talk about expectations and reality and things of that nature, I have the utmost respect for him.
“I just think you keep allowing him to coach the Browns, I think we’ll be in a good place in the future.”
As long as they figure out what to do at quarterback.
“Until that quarterback position is solved in the NFL, it is hard to win games,” Bitonio said. “It is the most important position in sports. It is difficult for a coach to deftly navigate that.”
Notes: Harold Fannin Jr. questionable with groin injury, says he ‘should be good’ for Sunday
If today is Bitonio’s final home game with the Browns, he deserves special recognition.
He’s a seven-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro and will start his 177th game, tied for ninth for games played in franchise history and the most since its return. He’s missed only one regular-season game due to injury since the start of the 2017 season.
Bitonio considered retirement after last season but decided to return for Year 12. He’s 34 years old, in the last year of his contract and frustrated by the losing.
“I’m not sure,” he said of whether he’ll play in 2026. “Kind of like last year, this year I’m just taking it one game at a time, seeing where we’re at. It is the last year on my contract here in Cleveland. But I’m not really thinking about the future there. I want to finish out this season and take some time, talk to the family before I make any decisions.”
Browns LG Joel Bitonio says he doesn’t know if this will be his final home game. Going to talk with family and think about it after season, whether he retires or not. pic.twitter.com/pVP2bOUIGz
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Before Bitonio came back for this season, Hall of Fame left tackle and former teammate Joe Thomas advised him to play as long as he could because he’ll miss it and doesn’t want to regret walking away prematurely. Bitonio has been bothered by back and knee injuries this season but hasn’t missed a game and has remained relatively healthy.
It’s the losing that’s been painful.
“It’s frustrating. It’s taken a lot,” he said. “Winning is so much better than losing. Even this last game, it’s so much more fun when you’re out there competing to win the games in these two-minute drives in the second half.
“So it’s been tough. You see injuries around, quarterback changes, all types of things. You thrive on consistency as a player and we just haven’t quite had that last couple years. So that part of it has been difficult.”
Bitonio has been buoyed by the number of rookies making meaningful impacts, including quarterback Shedeur Sanders, defensive tackle Mason Graham, linebacker Carson Schwesinger, tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson.
“Youthful energy,” Bitonio said. “Our offense is full of young guys. First year, second year, they’ve been obviously productive players.
“If I’m building a culture and a team, you build through Carson and Mason and Harold and Samp. These guys all love football. They want to be here, they work hard. All things you look for in great teammates. So it’s been great to have them and I’m excited for the future.”
Bitonio’s streak of seven straight Pro Bowls was snapped during the week when he wasn’t voted one of the top three guards in the AFC. Under new rules, alternates aren’t named for offensive and defensive linemen.
He ranks fifth among NFL guards in pass block win rate and 17th in run block win rate, according to ESPN.
“I do think it’s a little weird that they only pick and choose which positions have alternates now,” he said. “Especially for a lineman, you don’t have stats, you don’t have anything to back it up. Pro Bowls, All-Pros are kind of your resume and so to not have an opportunity if someone is hurt or just to know even if you’re second alternate, that’s still a lot of respect that comes with that.”
Bitonio will be a Hall of Fame candidate five years after he retires. Another Pro Bowl nod would’ve helped his case at a position that’s traditionally had a difficult time earning a call from Canton.
“Does not look like he’s fallen off at all, playing at a high level,” Stefanski said. “He’s a Pro Bowler, whether it’s in name or otherwise, he’s a Hall of Famer.”
The admiration is mutual.
