Notes: Joel Bitonio 'frustrated' by losing season, says he'll weigh everything before making retirement decision

BEREA — Joel Bitonio isn't reflective as he approaches what could be his final game.He's dealing with a different emotion.Browns LG Joel Bitonio reiterates he'll wait until after season to decide if he will retire. He did talk about his frustration with the losing. pic.twitter.com/3hNaJMaXx0— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) January 1, 2025https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"Truthfully, I've been very frustrated the last few weeks," the six-time Pro Bowl left guard said Wednesday. "I just didn't expect us to be in this position. You come out here and you're playing for pride, you're playing for your own resume, your own worth, and as a team, it's tough to be in this situation."The expectations this year and then where we ended up have made it the most frustrating."Bailey Zappe says time with Bill Belichick prepared him for uncertainty of this weekHe reiterated he'll take time after the season finale Saturday in Baltimore to get away from the grind and consult with family about whether he will retire or return for a 12th season. His health and family considerations are part of the calculus.The organization's plan to contend next season and wanting to go out on a good note are also parts of the equation."You think of John Elway going out and winning the Super Bowl, Andrew Whitworth, they got to play in their last game in the Super Bowl and ride off into the sunset," Bitonio said. "That'd be the ultimate dream, and I bet if it had been two years ago and we won a Super Bowl, I probably would have been like, 'all right, I'm good to go.'"It's the thing that you fight for. So it's all part of it. It's all part of the process. The season, your teammates. Winning and losing. How you feel. All of that goes into every decision you make. We'll see."Notes: Cedric Tillman placed on IR, misses final 6 games after concussion vs. SteelersHe'll meet with the decision-makers, including ownership, during exit meetings Sunday or Monday."I'll have my chance to let 'em know what I think is going on and they actually listen very well," he said.Bitonio had something to celebrate, as he was voted the Pro Football Writers of America's Dino Lucarelli "Good Guy Award" winner for the second year in a row and fifth time in his 11-year career. The local chapter of the PFWA votes for the honor.The Good Guy Award is given to a player in recognition of his cooperation with the media and how he carries himself in the community and with teammates. It might need to be changed to Great Guy for Bitonio.He also won it in 2017, '18, '21 and '23. Hall of Fame left tackle Joe Thomas, in 2010 and '13, is the only other player to win the award more than once.Analysis: Examining Andrew Berry's history of roster moves as Browns head into critical offseason"We've all been here for a while together, but I appreciate the recognition and I know you guys have a tough job to do and hopefully I'm here to help a little bit," Bitonio said.Seven players received votes for Good Guy.ONE OF MANYMyles Garrett has bigger goals in his sights, but got awards season started when he was voted the PFWA Joe Thomas Award winner for the second straight year and fourth time in his eight-year career. The honor recognizes the Browns' best player.Garrett, a six-time Pro Bowl defensive end, is tied for the NFL lead with 14 sacks with Cincinnati's Trey Hendrickson. Garrett's never won the league's sack title.He's also in contention to repeat as NFL Defensive Player of the Year and is expected to receive a seventh Pro Bowl nod Thursday morning. He could also be voted a first-team All-Pro for the fourth time in the last five seasons.He became the first person in NFL history — the sack became an official stat in 1982 — to have 14 sacks in four straight seasons. He's also the only one to reach 100 sacks before turning 29, and joined Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor as the only players with 12 sacks in five straight seasons.Garrett's won the Joe Thomas Award four of the last five years.INJURY REPORTGarrett (thigh), cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder), tight end David Njoku (knee), running backs Jerome Ford (ankle) and Pierre Strong Jr. (concussion) and linebacker Jordan Hicks (concussion) didn't practice.Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson left practice with an athletic trainer during the early portion open to reporters. He was listed as limited.Garrett said Sunday after the loss to the Dolphins he would play against Baltimore.Ward and Hicks were hurt late in the second quarter vs. the Dolphins when they collided. Ward said he's pushing to play against the Ravens."That's the plan, Lord willing," he said. "But we'll see what comes, come gameday."** Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (knee) returned to practice after missing last week. He was limited.** Safety Grant Delpit (shoulder/knee), receiver Michael Woods II (knee), tight end Blake Whiteheart (knee), quarterbacks Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) and Jameis Winston (right shoulder) and defensive end Charles Thomas (back) were also limited.** For the Ravens, running back Justice Hill (concussion/illness) and left guard Patrick Mekari (illness) didn't practice. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (illness) and cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring) were limited after not practicing Tuesday.SEE YOU NEXT SEASONThe dates and times of the games won't be set until the spring, but the Browns' opponents for 2025 are known.Visiting Huntington Bank Field will be: the Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, Bills, Dolphins, Titans, Packers, Vikings and 49ers.The Browns will travel to: Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New England, the New York Jets, Las Vegas, Detroit and Chicago.The AFC North teams will play every team from the AFC South and NFC North. The Browns' matchups with the Titans, 49ers and Raiders are due to their corresponding finish in their divisions — last place.With the NFL playing more games out of the country next season, one of the games could be played abroad.JOB STATUSCoach Kevin Stefanski's expected to return, but changes to his staff seem likely following such a disappointing season. Dorsey is completing his first season with the team and was asked if he's spoken to Stefanski about next year."I'm just focused on this week," Dorsey said. "We'll cross those bridges next week."The offense has been the Browns' biggest problem this year — only three games scoring 20 points — but the special teams have had plenty of issues, as well."This was a younger group than we had last year," coordinator Bubba Ventrone said. "And obviously the new kickoff-kickoff return play throws a completely different wrinkle into the results you're going to see."And I would say this, overall, it wasn't up to my standard, the units that I've coached. We haven't played to the level that I expect our units to play at. We got to do a better job of coaching and executing."PREDICTING BIG THINGSQuarterback Bailey Zappe played for coach Bill Belichick in 2022 and '23 with the Patriots. Zappe has no doubt Belichick will be a success at the University of North Carolina."Look, he's going to win," he said. "He's the greatest coach of all time. I think there's no denying that."Besides when the cameras are on, he has a great personality, he has great humor, so I think he's going to fit in just fine. But those guys, whoever goes there, they've just got to be ready to play some football. He's all about ball. So if you're all about ball, that's the place to be. That's his recruiting pitch."The post Notes: Joel Bitonio 'frustrated' by losing season, says he'll weigh everything before making retirement decision first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.