Austin Corbett's first NFL season was, in a word, uncomfortable.
A longtime starter at left tackle for Nevada, Corbett was quickly directed away from the position to an interior spot upon arriving in Cleveland. Naturally, the biggest hurdle on the path to playing time resided in the interior, where Kevin Zeitler, JC Tretter and fellow former Wolf Pack lineman Joel Bitonio held all three starting roles.
Austin, meet a reserve role.
Corbett spent the 2018 season learning the fine details of playing an interior position while seated behind the aforementioned trio, which started a combined 48 games -- better known as every regular season game at each position. There simply wasn't much room for Corbett to crack the lineup.
"It was definitely different," Corbett said during a Wednesday appearance on Cleveland Browns Daily. "It definitely didn't sit well with me the first couple of weeks. Even making game day inactives, that's just not who I am as a competitor and a football player. It was definitely tough. And my wife, it was tough for us at home."
His wife, Madison, couldn't relate much with spending time on the bench, either. She was a two-time All-Mountain West selection as part of the Nevada volleyball team, where she made an impact from her first season on campus through her last.
Corbett could find at least some help in the form of a familiar face: Bitonio. The Browns All-Pro guard preceded Corbett at left tackle at Nevada, and while he earned a starting job in Cleveland as a rookie, he was still able to help ease his fellow Wolf Pack product into the pace of the NFL. Eventually, that also included Corbett accepting the fact his best way to help the team in 2018 would be on the practice field.
"As time went on, OK, my role has changed and I gotta embrace that role," Corbett explained. "That's what I tried to focus on. JC got banged up pretty well and I had to take over in practice playing some center, just making sure that whatever comes up, I gotta be ready. Just really try to embrace that role."
That work might end up benefitting Corbett more than he realizes right now. As things often change quickly in the NFL, so did the makeup of the Browns' starting line last month. General manager John Dorsey dealt Zeitler to New York as part of a blockbuster deal that netted the Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and edge rusher Olivier Vernon.
Suddenly, there was room for Corbett to make the leap into the starting lineup.
The job won't come with a ceremony, a bouquet of roses or an honorary placard. Corbett will have to earn it, and Dorsey made sure that won't come easily when he signed veteran guards Eric Kush and Bryan Witzmann in March.
The Browns acquired edge rusher Olivier Vernon via trade with the New York Giants. View an assortment of photos featuring Vernon throughout his seven seasons in the NFL.
![Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) talks with New York Giants outside linebacker Olivier Vernon (54) during an NFL Pro Bowl football game on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019 in Orlando, Fla. The AFC team won 26-7. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/mohdjwlllfvxam1hizqo.jpg)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) talks with New York Giants outside linebacker Olivier Vernon (54) during an NFL Pro Bowl football game on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019 in Orlando, Fla. The AFC team won 26-7. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
![New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) recovers a fumble as Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) and Eli Apple (24) close in during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/fyniibeauk0jhjxq8apx.jpg)
New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) recovers a fumble as Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) and Eli Apple (24) close in during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
![Philadelphia Eagles' Ryan Mathews (24) cannot reach the end zone as New York Giants' Landon Collins (21), Andrew Adams (33), and Olivier Vernon (54) hang on during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/ujswy6dejbdp5cg4f5rs.jpg)
Philadelphia Eagles' Ryan Mathews (24) cannot reach the end zone as New York Giants' Landon Collins (21), Andrew Adams (33), and Olivier Vernon (54) hang on during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
![New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) and Dallas Cowboys tight end James Hanna (84) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/b7sm9s1m9oxwwpsooyr1.jpg)
New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) and Dallas Cowboys tight end James Hanna (84) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
![New York Giants linebacker Olivier Vernon (54) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/ayh7taypsevdpsgpcx6f.jpg)
New York Giants linebacker Olivier Vernon (54) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
![Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) is sacked by New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/r3qoiux8etsuilxoewzr.jpg)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) is sacked by New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
![Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) spins to avoid a sack by New York Giants' Olivier Vernon (54) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/rnbuqtcpz485yzuxmuq1.jpg)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) spins to avoid a sack by New York Giants' Olivier Vernon (54) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
![New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) sacks Washington Redskins' Kirk Cousins (8) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/yo5wpcrt1uodhyo03tuy.jpg)
New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) sacks Washington Redskins' Kirk Cousins (8) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
![New York Giants outside linebacker Olivier Vernon (54) greets service members before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov.18, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/c3tm3zmoucl8qsklnznt.jpg)
New York Giants outside linebacker Olivier Vernon (54) greets service members before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov.18, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
![Philadelphia Eagles' Darren Sproles, left, tries to slip past New York Giants' Olivier Vernon during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/wcfscck3tmyilv0zgul8.jpg)
Philadelphia Eagles' Darren Sproles, left, tries to slip past New York Giants' Olivier Vernon during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
![Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) blocks New York Giants outside linebacker Olivier Vernon (54) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/sojsrqygdegqp002jgar.jpg)
Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) blocks New York Giants outside linebacker Olivier Vernon (54) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
![New York Giants' Olivier Vernon, top, tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/omxwr0mka9uu1lbewxb7.jpg)
New York Giants' Olivier Vernon, top, tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
![James Starks #44 runs and is tackled from behind by Olivier Vernon #50 during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Photo by Marc Serota/Panini)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/wsiix8fhw0jduz2g3hhp.jpg)
James Starks #44 runs and is tackled from behind by Olivier Vernon #50 during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Photo by Marc Serota/Panini)
![Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) walks the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/o8nrhsffqpxjomgzq4vp.jpg)
Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) walks the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
![Baltimore Ravens quarterback Matt Schaub (8) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50), during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/hva3hkafjux6ix6zwjvi.jpg)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Matt Schaub (8) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50), during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
![Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs with the ball as Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) tries to tackle during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/acxdqhojlcspvzbckq8f.jpg)
Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs with the ball as Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) tries to tackle during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
![Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) waits the snap during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears abSunday, Oct. 19, 2014 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/m48gwkzx11b3kwy2nbqq.jpg)
Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) waits the snap during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears abSunday, Oct. 19, 2014 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
![Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/j8w4hnomthu7bnd0c17s.jpg)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
![Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/browns/gbyi3ocvg1eu2r2hcrvo.jpg)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (50) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
"It's kind of been the same thing from everyone that I've talked to, like 'hey, there's this plan, there's this hole open for you now,'" Corbett said when asked what folks have said to him about the new opportunity at right guard. "And yeah, it's yours for the taking but by no means is it going to be given to me. I don't want to go through life by just anything given to me, so that's how I'd want it and we brought in some good guys to compete with and I'm just looking forward to that competition."
The competition is guaranteed to be fierce, especially when factoring in the pressure that comes with being a team that is no longer expected to be a doormat. The same weight only increases when you're the one battling for one of the very few open starting roles on the team, one that could attract a massive amount of blame and ridicule should you fail to perform when the lights become bright.
"It's been exciting just to get all these pieces put together," Corbett said. "The confidence that we had at the end of last year and that momentum that we were building, just to be a part of that, like 'hey, I've got to do my part, I've got to make sure I give these guys time and open up holes for these guys because they're unbelievable.' They're going to make plays left and right.
"Who am I? I'm just some kid from Reno (with) these superstars. I've just got to make sure I do my job and the five of us up front, if we give them time or any hole at all, they're going to make it count."
They will make it count. And hopefully for Corbett, he'll end up counting his starts and his teammates' touchdowns, and no longer the number of Sundays spent on the inactives list.