Joel Bitonio is making it hard not to consider him a future Hall of Famer

Joel Bitonio is making it hard not to see him as a future Hall of Famer.

Longtime fans of the Cleveland Browns will know how reliable and impactful Joel Bitonio has been. In 2021, he’s now a five-time All-Pro player and a five-time Pro Bowler. One of the few, if only players to survive the transition from the 0-16 Browns to the playoff-expected Browns, Bitonio has found a lot of post-season success with the new Era of Cleveland football.

Starting in 2018, Bitonio has been a four-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro team (three-second teams, one first team). The thing is, his entire career has been steady and consistent. The only “down” year he had, according to PFF, was 2015 when he had a 69.4 PFF score. Every other year he’s in the 70s and higher. For reference, the 70s is a great score for people on PFF.

So it’s not like his play has been exceptionally better in 2018 and after (though he had a career year in 2021), it’s just now that the Browns are winning more than one or two games a year, the NFL is recognizing Bitonio’s talents.

For all intents and purposes, Biotnio has been one of the best guards for nearly eight seasons. He’s on his way to Canton, or at the very least he should be.

Joel Bitonio is one great year from being a HOF’er for the Cleveland Browns

The Browns have not had many real Hall of Fame talent since coming back in 1999. There are a few on their way, like Nick Chubb and Myles Garrett but they’re not there yet. I argue that had Joe Haden stayed in Cleveland, he’d be in contention for the Hall of Fame. Not to say he isn’t, but if he goes in, he may go in as a Steeler at this point.

I think Josh Cribbs is a Hall of Famer, and I have no idea why the Hall and the voters hate special teamers so much. I know he won’t get in, but I think he should be.

So outside of all of them, the only real players who are going in are Alex Mack and Joe Thomas. Mack didn’t like Cleveland so he may go in as a Falcon, but Thomas; Thomas is all Browns.

If Bitonio has a season like he’s used to having in 2022, and earns a fifth Pro Bowl and a fifth All-Pro selection; that would be enough to seal his spot in Canton, in my opinion. His induction would see some of the lighter accolades for a HOF resume but if you’re just looking at post-season awards and not play, then you’re not qualified to be a voter. Bitonio has been one of the league’s best guards since his debut, and that’s a fact.