Is Cleveland Browns Guard Billy Yates Going to Retire?

It’s no secret that the Cleveland Browns are thin at almost every position. Depth has been a constant concern this offseason, and the Browns didn’t exactly do much in free agency to quell the issue. And now the offensive line is experiencing a potential blow to its depth, as guard Billy Yates is considering retirement.

The 6-2, 305 pound lineman would be entering his ninth season in the NFL, spending those seasons with the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and Browns. In his career, Yates has played in 41 games and started 14, the most coming in 2008 when he started seven games with the Patriots.

Yates gave head coach Pat Shurmur the news on Monday morning as the team was getting ready to begin practice. Shurmur gave Yates time to think it over, but it’s expected that he will go through with it.

In case you were wondering, Yates would be backing up right guard Shawn Lauvao this season.