Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio is obviously thrilled that Joe Thomas is among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023.
Bitonio played alongside Thomas for four seasons and relished that opportunity.
When asked on Thursday, if he thought Thomas would make it through the final cuts and become an inductee in August, Bitonio did not shy away from making a bold prediction.
#Browns LG Joel Bitonio on Joe Thomas becoming one of 15 finalists for the @ProFootballHOF pic.twitter.com/ugY8FJI63q
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 5, 2023
What Bitonio Said
Bitonio called Thomas “a lock” to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Though he may be a little biased, he talks about Thomas’s longevity and what he did for the city of Cleveland as reasons why he should be getting a gold jacket this fall.
Thomas is among 15 modern-era finalists; the final cut is to five players.
Those five names are put to a vote, and if any of the final five gets 80% of the vote, they are in.
Bitonio Is Following In Thomas’s Footsteps
Joel Bitonio’s excellent play at his position and his longevity makes many think he will be a Hall of Famer when he hangs up his cleats.
Andrew Berry mentioned that very point when he announced that the Browns signed Bitonio to a three-year contract extension in November 2021.
