The Browns have developed and benefitted from having two of the best guards in the NFL in 2021, and they spent this week ensuring both of them would stay in Cleveland through 2025.
Wyatt Teller, the No. 2-ranked guard this season according to Pro Football Focus, signed a four-year contract extension Tuesday. Joel Bitonio, the No. 3-ranked guard, signed a three-year extension — which is added to the previous extension he received in 2017 — on Wednesday.
The news comes as no surprise to anyone who's seen the work both have delivered in the trenches. From punishing pull blocks that open gaping holes in the run game to consistent pass protection for QB Baker Mayfield, both have been tremendous weapons to the success the Browns have built in the last two seasons.
"I think it just points to our identity," Bitonio said. "We want to be a team that wins in the trenches. I think Wyatt and myself give us a versatile ability. To have two guards that can pull either way … really gives us an opportunity as an offense to be multiple."
The Browns announced Wednesday that Joel Bitonio has signed a contract extension through the 2025 season. Bitonio, the longest-tenured member of the Browns, is a three-time (2018-20) Pro Bowl selection and the first Browns guard to be named to three consecutive Pro Bowls since Pro Football Hall of Famer Gene Hickerson made six straight from 1966-71.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) signs a contract extension on November 10, 2021.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers on October 10, 2021 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 42-47.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on November 1, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 16-6.
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns on December 23, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on October 21, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 17-14.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns game on November 19, 2017 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 7–19.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on September 26, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 26-6.
New York Jets at Cleveland Browns at First Energy Stadium on September 20, 2018 on Thursday Night Football
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during the second day of training camp on July 29, 2021.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns on September 19, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 31-21.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on September 26, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 26-6.
Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado on December 15, 2018.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on September 17, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 35-30.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on September 12, 2021 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Browns lost 29-33.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on September 12, 2021 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Browns lost 29-33.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings on October 3, 2021 at US Bank Stadium. The Browns won 14-7.
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns on December 23, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
2021 Cleveland Browns Media Day
Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns on October 14, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on November 1, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 16-6.
Fuel Up To Play 60 Local Service Project at Joseph M. Gallagher School on July18, 2019
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers on October 10, 2021 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 42-47.
1946 Jersey Reveal Photoshoot
Vets lift on May 22, 2019
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL divisional round playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on January 17, 2021 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Browns lost 17-22.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers on October 10, 2021 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 42-47.
Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bear game on December 24, 2017 at Soldier Field. The Browns lost 3-20.
Fuel Up To Play 60 Local Service Project at Joseph M. Gallagher School on July18, 2019
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) after a NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on October 21, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 17-14.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
New York Jets at Cleveland Browns game on October 8, 2017 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 14–17
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers on October 10, 2021 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 42-47.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on October 25, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 37-34.
Washington Redskins at Cleveland Browns on August 8, 2019 in the preseason at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2020 at AT&T Stadium. The Browns won 49 - 38.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Offensive tackle John Greco (77) during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on September 18, 2016 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 25-20.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice on August 24, 2020
Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals game on December 15, 2019 at State Farm Stadium.
Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts game on September 17, 2017 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Browns lost 28–31Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts game on September 17, 2017 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Browns lost 28–31
New York Jets at Cleveland Browns at First Energy Stadium on September 20, 2018 on Thursday Night Football
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens game on September 17, 2017 at M&T Bank Stadium.Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens game on September 17, 2017 at M&T Bank Stadium. Joe Thomas Played his 10,000th consecutive snap this game
Travel to New York City on September 15, 2019
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice on August 17, 2020
Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns game on November 24, 2019 at First Energy Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on November 7, 2021 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 41-16.
2020 Media Day
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns game on November 14, 2019 at First Energy Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns on October 9, 2016 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 13-33.
Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns on November 4, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on November 7, 2021 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 41-16.
Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns game on November 10, 2019 at First Energy Stadium.
Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns game on November 10, 2019 at First Energy Stadium.
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens game on September 29, 2019 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens game on September 29, 2019 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice on September 25, 2019
Center JC Tretter (64) and Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during the eighth day of training camp on August 2, 2019.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during the first day of training camp on July 25, 2019.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during the first practice of OTAs on May 14, 2019
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers on October 10, 2021 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 42-47.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on October 31, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 10-15.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers on October 10, 2021 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 42-47.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Center JC Tretter (64) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers on October 10, 2021 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 42-47.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on November 7, 2021 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 41-16.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) after a NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on October 21, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 17-14.
No team in football has a guard duo as efficient and consistent as Teller and Bitonio, who have helped the Browns establish arguably the top rushing attack in the NFL since Teller joined the O-Line as a starter in Week 9 of 2019.
Since that time, the Browns rank third in the NFL with an average of 142.3 rushing yards per game and third in the league with an average of 4.82 yards per carry. So far in 2021, they lead the NFL in rushing yards (1,442), rushing average (5.28), rushing touchdowns (16) and rushes of 10-plus yards (46).
That success, of course, was also made possible by the work of running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Both are set to be in Cleveland through 2022 and received recent extensions, too, exemplifying just how much the Browns value a strong run game.
But for nearly every long run Chubb or Hunt have found, Teller and Bitonio have been in the picture, delivering jaw-dropping blocks and showcasing elite footwork and sheer strength.
Both linemen have received loads of recognition from teammates, coaches and fans for their work, and their extensions are one more token of appreciation.
"I'm thankful for the fans of Cleveland," Teller said. "Offensive linemen are loved. They're glorified here. It's just a special city."
The Browns announced Tuesday that Wyatt Teller has signed a contract extension through the 2025 season. Teller took over as the team's starting right guard in Week 9 in 2019 and has played a major role in helping the Browns build one of the best run games in the league ever since.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) signs a contract extension on November 9, 2021.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers on October 10, 2021 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 42-47.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on November 7, 2021 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 41-16.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers game on December 1, 2019 at Heinz Field.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during the second day of joint practices with the New York Giants on August 20, 2021.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on September 26, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 26-6.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns on October 17, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 14 - 37.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.
2021 Cleveland Browns Media Day
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans on December 6, 2020 at Nissan Stadium. The Browns won 41 - 35.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) and Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78), Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77), Center JC Tretter (64), Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on September 26, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 26-6.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on November 7, 2021 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 41-16.
Defensive tackle Malik Jackson (97) and Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on November 7, 2021 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 41-16.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on November 7, 2021 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 41-16.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) before a NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns on October 17, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 14 - 37.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers on October 10, 2021 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 42-47.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on November 7, 2021 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 41-16.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice on September 2, 2019
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice on October 27, 2021.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings on October 3, 2021 at US Bank Stadium. The Browns won 14-7.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings on October 3, 2021 at US Bank Stadium. The Browns won 14-7.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on September 12, 2021 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Browns lost 29-33.
Second Annual Doggy Play Date hosted by Myles Garrett on August 31, 2021.
Second Annual Doggy Play Date hosted by Myles Garrett on August 31, 2021.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during the first day of joint practices with the New York Giants on August 19, 2021.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during the fifteenth day of training camp on August 18, 2021.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) and Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on August 14, 2021 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 23-13.
Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns game on November 10, 2019 at First Energy Stadium.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice on October 30, 2019
2021 Cleveland Browns Media Day
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice on September 10, 2019.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) before a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on August 14, 2021 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 23-13.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on November 1, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 16-6.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns on November 15, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 10-7.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) before a NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 10, 2021 at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 10, 2021 at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice on August 12, 2020
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2020 at AT&T Stadium. The Browns won 49 - 38.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on September 17, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 35-30.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2020 at AT&T Stadium. The Browns won 49 - 38.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers game on December 1, 2019 at Heinz Field.
Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals game on December 15, 2019 at State Farm Stadium.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers game on December 1, 2019 at Heinz Field.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice on September 13, 2019
For Bitonio, his streak as the longest tenured member of the Browns is set to continue for another four years. A second-round pick in 2014, Bitonio has exemplified the relentless spirit the franchise has needed to escape the struggles prevalent throughout an 18-year playoff drought, which ended with the help of his third consecutive Pro Bowl season in 2020.
Bitonio's unwavering positivity and ability to always look forward has permeated throughout his teammates in the locker room every season since he was a rookie. It's made him a fan-favorite in Northeast Ohio, too, and is one of the reasons why the Browns didn't hesitate to ensure Bitonio had a chance to finish his NFL career with the team that drafted him.
"It's pretty special," Bitonio said. "You look around the league, and there's great players that play on multiple teams, three or four teams. It's such a tough business to stick with one team because you have so many different coaching staffs and things that happened, but it's truly an honor to finish my career here and hopefully it sets up that way.
"I don't know anything else. I just know the Cleveland Browns way, and that's how I want to finish it. I think we do have something special here."
The work isn't over, but the Browns took a major step this week toward ensuring the success they've built won't be going away anytime soon.
Cleveland views Bitonio and Teller as cornerstone pieces toward long-term success, and both are ready to keep excelling and working toward making the Browns an even better football team.
"When you get good players in this league, you want to keep them," Bitonio said. "That's been a thing you see with our last few extensions, and I'm proud to be a part of that group. Hopefully we can continue to build this thing."
