Cleveland Browns fans are accustomed to seeing Joe Thomas near his former team. The Hall of Fame offensive tackle bleeds orange and brown and his notoriously upbeat personality is usually on the sidelines at training camp giving pointers and encouragement to offensive linemen.
6x 1st All-Pro and Future HOF Joe Thomas spotted working with #Browns LT Jed Wills and others after practice on Tuesday
— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) August 4, 202
Who better to learn from than the 🐐🐐🐐
pic.twitter.com/SNcPSz3H0C
In 2024, Thomas is MIA, and Browns fans are curious especially after the news broke that he would not be doing his usual color commentary alongside Chris Rose and Aditi Kinkahabwala for the Browns' preseason games.
The short answer is that Thomas is still involved in football but not in the US. He is the offensive line coach for the Munich Ravens in the European League of Football.
Thomas has turned down requests for bigger roles in the Browns organization because he wants to spend time with his family so on the surface, this choice by Thomas to coach in Europe could be a head-scratcher.
Joe Thomas can’t do color for Browns preseason. He’s coaching in Europe. Nathan Zegura replaces him. No word who will pair with Jim Donovan for the radio broadcasts.
— Greg Sopko (@GregSopko) July 30, 2024
However, Thomas's family is with him, and the schedule of European League coaches is a lot less rigorous than NFL coaches. Many of the European players attend school or have jobs so the time available for practice and meetings is limited allowing Thomas plenty of time to enjoy and tour Europe this summer with his wife Annie, and their four children.
The European League of Football's season (including playoffs) will be over before the Browns open the regular season with a Week 1 home game against the Dallas Cowboys so expect to see Thomas back in his old stomping ground this fall.
