Browns’ Joel Bitonio Unhappy With Eagles’ ‘Cheap Shots’ on Deshaun Watson

Things got a bit chippy during the teams’ joint practices this week.

Browns guard Joel Bitonio is less than thrilled with some of the antics that went down during Cleveland’s joint practices with the Eagles this week. 

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Bitonio expressed his concern over some alleged “cheap shots” from Philadelphia, which the 31-year-old claims happened on both sides of the ball. 

“In our practice, we protect the quarterback. You don’t want to come close to the quarterback. You don’t want to take cheap shots. Things like that where there might have been some questionable plays both ways today,” said Bitonio, via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. 

#Browns Joel Bitonio said there were a few cheap shots by the #Eagles both ways in joint practices. Got chippy today pic.twitter.com/GPa7qTdhdK

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 15, 2023

Early into practice, Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat reportedly approached Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and knocked the ball out of his hands.

“You’re not supposed to do that,” Bitonio said of the play.

“We don’t want to fight out here,” said the five-time Pro Bowler. “We want to get better, and when two teams are competing, things are going to get fired up. So it happens.”

Bitonio is entering his 10th NFL season, so he’s no stranger to scuffles in training camp. The veteran offensive lineman said the second day of joint practices are always “a little heated.” 

Tuesday was Cleveland’s final joint practice against the Eagles, and the Browns’ last joint practice session of the offseason. Cleveland and Philadelphia will face off in a preseason clash Thursday at 7:30 p.m. EST.