The Cleveland Browns now must find a way to do the impossible: Replace a player who from the day he was drafted was the best player on the team every day he was with the team.
That’s the legacy of Joe Thomas, a guy who did his job to the best of his ability each and every day of his career.
Thomas’ retirement announcement on Wednesday means that left tackle has shot to a position of need for the Browns. That’s the cold and cruel reality of Thomas’ decision.
Whoever takes over at left tackle may do well, but he won’t be Joe Thomas.