Browns, Joel Bitonio Delay Contract Void Date

Extension gives more time to decide on 13th NFL season with Cleveland

Feb. 23, 2026 at 10:07pm

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The Cleveland Browns and veteran left guard Joel Bitonio have agreed to push back the void date of his current contract to March 11, granting additional time to decide whether Bitonio will return for a 13th NFL season with the team.

Why it matters

Bitonio is the longest-tenured player on the Browns' roster and a key figure on their offensive line, having earned seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2018 to 2024. Allowing his contract to void earlier would have resulted in a significant $23 million dead-cap charge for the team, making this contract extension a crucial decision for both Bitonio and the Browns.

The details

Originally set to expire on February 16, the new timeline offers the Browns and Bitonio the opportunity to finalize whether they will extend his contract or part ways by March 11. If Bitonio chooses to return in 2026, he is expected to resume his role as the Browns' starting left guard.

  • The contract's void date was originally set for February 16, 2026.
  • The void date has now been pushed back to March 11, 2026.

The players

Joel Bitonio

A 34-year-old veteran left guard who has been with the Cleveland Browns since being drafted in the second round out of Nevada in 2014. He has earned seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2018 through 2024.

Cleveland Browns

The NFL team based in Cleveland, Ohio, that Bitonio has played for his entire professional career.

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What they’re saying

“The decision to delay the void date is significant for the Browns, as allowing the contract to void earlier would have resulted in a $23 million dead-cap charge.”

— Dan Labbe, Reporter (The Cleveland Plain Dealer)

What’s next

The Browns and Bitonio will have until March 11 to decide whether to extend his contract or part ways.

The takeaway

This contract extension represents a crucial decision for both Bitonio and the Browns, as the veteran left guard's potential return would provide stability and leadership for Cleveland's offensive line, while his departure would require the team to explore other options to fill that key position.