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Browns rumored NFL free agency target may tip Joel Bitonio's decision
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- Browns rumored NFL free agency target may tip Joel Bitonio's decision
The Cleveland Browns are still awaiting the decision of offensive guard Joel Bitonio .
Both Bitonio and the Browns agreed to push back the void date of Bitonio's contract to the start of the new league year. That date, however, is Wednesday, March 11th. This means the Browns are going to enter the legal tampering period of NFL free agency today, March 9th, with an uncertain outlook regarding the future of their All-Pro left guard.
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However, has a recent free agency report linking the Browns to a particular offensive lineman perhaps indicated the direction Bitonio is leaning in regards to his future?
Browns in hot pursuit of a left guard in NFL free agency?
With the legal tampering period beginning today, SI's Albert Breer has reported the Browns are in hot pursuit of free agent guard Chris Paul , who started 15 games for the Washington Commanders last year and 23 games total after being selected by the team in the seventh round in 2022. Here is what Breer had to say :
"Maybe the most interesting one is Commanders guard Chris Paul (no, not that Chris Paul), who appears to have priced himself out of Washington with teams like Cleveland in hot pursuit. Paul became a full-time starter for the first time three weeks into his fourth pro season and is trending to one of those 'He got what?!' sorts of deals."
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While the Browns could theoretically flip Paul to right guard, the practice of flipping offensive linemen away from the side of the offensive line that they are most comfortable at is not as common a practice as it seems. The idea that the Browns are actively pursuing a left guard in free agency could indicate that Bitonio is leaning toward retirement after 12 seasons in the NFL.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns rumored NFL free agency target may tip Joel Bitonio's decision
