Browns: What if Joe Thomas decides to retire from football?

With an insanely popular podcast, and a television career likely waiting for him, Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas has an important decision ahead of him in the offseason. As much as fans might not like it, Thomas could be done with the NFL.

Joe Thomas has been a stellar left tackle for the Cleveland Browns ever since they made him the third overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin.

However, the iron man finally was out of the team’s lineup this season due to an injury, and now there’s some doubt about his football future.

Earlier this week, Browns head coach Hue Jackson noted that he expected a decision from Thomas “hopefully fairly soon.” Soon after, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported the following:

So, while it does look like Thomas will be back. There is always that little bit of doubt. Since coming into the league, Thomas has been through a collective 48-119 record. However, there is no doubt that Thomas would immediately go into the Hall of Fame if he retired today.

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Naturally, that begs the question: what if Thomas decides to hang it up? Do the Browns have a backup plan? Let’s take a look at some options.

Maybe one of the most logical options, if one of the least interesting, is to just stick it out with Spencer Drango for 2018 and beyond.

The offensive line partially kept to form with Drango at left tackle when Thomas went out with an injury. Sure, there was some drop-off, but that can be expected from losing a sure-fire Hall of Famer at the position.

Drango, the 25-year old Baylor product, was at least a serviceable option in 2017. At 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, he is similarly sized to Thomas, but he may not be the number-one option for Cleveland.

Another route for the Browns could be moving left guard Joel Bitonio outside to the left tackle position. While Bitonio projected as a guard for the NFL level, he did have some experience at tackle during his time in college at Nevada.

At 6-foot-4 and 305, Bitonio might be a bit slight for tackle in the NFL. However, he has the experience, so he might work with the Browns. Much like sticking with Drango, though, this might not be the best option.

Maybe the best option is for the Browns to plan on drafting a left tackle in 2018. This year’s NFL Draft is full of options for the Browns, including Texas left tackle Connor Williams.

At 6-foot-5 and 296 pounds (according to Combine measurements), Williams drew comparisons to Thomas earlier in the season. Those comparisons have definitely calmed down, but Williams’ potential as a mid-round pick remains infinitely intriguing.

Other tackle options in this year’s draft class include the son of former Browns tackle Orlando Brown. Orlando Brown, Jr. comes in at an intimidating 6-foot-7 and 345-pounds. In addition to Brown and Williams, there are plenty of other options in this year’s class.

It turns out that drafting a replacement for Thomas might be the best way to go after all. There are plenty of options all across the board that could be the heir to Thomas’s left tackle throne.

Next: Would the Browns really trade the No. 1 pick?

But, maybe Thomas comes back for one more season, and the Browns don’t have to worry about his replacement until 2019. Hopefully, for all Browns fans, and maybe the front office too, Thomas decides to come back for at least one last season.