Joel Bitonio takes shot at Johnny Manziel during Browns retirement presser

The Cleveland Browns are thinking about the future heading into the 2026 season. Cleveland’s recent Myles Garrett trade could end up paving the way for a bright future for the woeful franchise. But the Browns are thinking about the past today after veteran guard Joel Bitonio announced his retirement from the NFL.

Bitonio said everything he wanted to say during his retirement presser. He even made a joke at the expense of former Browns QB Johnny Manziel.

“I was drafted the same year as Johnny Manziel. And we actually roomed together. I learned some things not to do from him,” Bitonio said, per Ari Meirov.

Manziel, commonly known as Johnny Football, was a controversial draft pick by the Browns in 2014. He entered the NFL after two special seasons at Texas A&M with NFL scouts doubtful of how his game would translate to the next level.

Those doubts proved to be correct, as Manziel flamed out of the NFL after just a few years. He logged 1,675 passing yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions in 14 games for the Browns.

Of course, Bitonio was likely referencing Manziel’s checkered history of off-the-field issues with his recent comments.

Bitonio also took the opportunity to thank some of the teammates he learned the most from.

“I got the opportunity to play with and learn from so many guys,” Bitonio continued. “I learned to be egoless from Nick Chubb. I learned to always smile like Christian Kirksey. I learned the chief slam from David Njoku. I learned how to be fiery and competitive from Baker [Mayfield.]”

Bitonio played all 12 seasons of his professional career for the Browns. He retires as a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro selection.

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