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By Robert Marvi
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Cleveland Browns need a boatload of help these days. Other than star pass rusher Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, they have little going for them, and, of course, they continue to deal with a mercurial quarterback situation as they try to develop the polarizing Shedeur Sanders.
Among other position groups, they need help on their offensive line, especially if they continue to go with the shaky Sanders under center. Their main star on their offensive line over the years has been left guard Joel Bitonio, but he's about to become a free agent, and the Browns may not be able to afford to give him a new contract.
Aaron Schatz of ESPN predicted one free agent each of the NFL's 32 teams will sign this offseason, and he projected that Bitonio will cross conferences and head out to the West Coast to join the San Francisco 49ers, a team that needs a reinforcement or two on its offensive line.
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"Would the 49ers be willing to put 34-year-old Bitonio next to 37-year-old Trent Williams (assuming the Niners and Williams can work out his contract situation) on the left side of their offensive line? There is an opening here, and a chance for Bitonio to finally go after a Super Bowl ring with a real contender.
"He ranked third among all guards with a 96.4% pass block win rate last season, and his run block win rate of 72.3% was above average."
Read more: 49ers GM Gets Honest About Potential Mac Jones Trade
While Williams is a future Hall of Famer and one of the better left tackles in football history, the 49ers have holes elsewhere on their offensive line. Right guard Dominick Puni, who just completed his second season, may be a keeper, but they could stand to upgrade just about everywhere else on their offensive line.
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Bitonio wasn't elected to the Pro Bowl this past season, but he was chosen to take part in the Pro Bowl in each of the previous seven seasons. He got All-Pro First Team nods in 2021 and 2022, and he has plenty of experience after being in the league for 12 seasons.
According to Pro Football Focus, he had an overall grade of 70.7 in 2025, which was 23rd among 81 offensive guards. His pass block grade, according to the publication, was eighth among those 81 guards.
Read more: 49ers Urged to Avoid Top Potential Free Agency Target
According to spotrac.com, San Francisco is currently projected to have just over $15 million in salary cap space. Bitonio's cap hit for 2025 was $23.5 million, and the website projects his market value to be $12.9 million a year.
For more on the Browns and 49ers, as well as general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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