CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns left tackle Joe Thomas said Tuesday night that his decision on whether or not to retire is "right around the corner.''

There's a good chance that corner could come on Wednesday, before the league year officially opens at 4 p.m. Meanwhile, the Browns added two tackles for depth and continued to pursue Patriots left tackle Nate Solder, but Solder agreed to terms Wednesday with the Giants.



"As far as a decision goes, we're still kind of working through that process," Thomas said while serving as the keynote speaker at the Positive Coaching Alliance's Cleveland youth sports award dinner and fundraiser.

"I'm keeping the Browns apprised of everything I'm doing and trying to make the best decision for myself and for the team, and when that decision comes, I'm not quite sure just yet, but I know hopefully it'll be soon, right around the corner."

With the Browns possibly needing to fill the shoes of the future Hall of Famer, the announcement could come on the day deals can become official. In the meantime, Thomas is excited about the direction of the Browns and their flurry of recent moves. He also still referred to himself as a player.

"I think the future is really bright,'' he said. "Obviously, John Dorsey came here for a reason because there was a ton of cap space, a ton of money that you can spend under the salary cap on new players, and obviously the draft picks that we have are pretty impressive, really unprecedented to have the first, the fourth [overall selections] and a couple early picks in the second round.

"So although the talent hasn't been there for the team the last few years, the cupboards are not bare because of what we have coming down the pike in the next few years. For me as a player and for you guys as fans, it's a great time to be a Cleveland Brown."

Thomas slipped out a back exit without stopping to speak with the group of reporters who attended the event.

But while giving him all the time he needs to make up his mind, the Browns have proceeded as though Thomas is hanging it up after 11 seasons, despite the fact he has a year left on his contract at $13.5 million, including a $3 million roster bonus due Sunday.

They seriously pursued Solder, who's spent the past six years protecting Tom Brady's blind side. Solder would've stepped right in as Thomas' replacement.

Earlier Tuesday, the Browns added two offensive tackles for depth at the position, former Broncos right tackle Don Stephenson and former Steelers backup right tackle Chris Hubbard.

Stephenson, who started 12 games for Denver at right tackle in 2016 and four in 2017, signed a one-year deal worth $2.5 million.

Hubbard, who started 10 games for the Steelers at right tackle last season, signed a five-year deal worth about $37.5 million, including about $18 million guaranteed.



Hubbard's contract suggests that he'll start somewhere for the Browns this season, whether it's challenging Shon Coleman at right tackle or filling in at left tackle in the event Thomas retires. A sixth-year pro who was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013 out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, he has the versatility to play anywhere on the line, and has spent time at multiple spots.

Thomas, 33, seems set to retire despite the moves on Friday that have him excited about the Browns' turnaround in 2018. They traded for quarterback quarterback Tyrod Taylor, receiver Jarvis Landry and defensive back Damarious Randall.



Thomas was particularly excited about the trade for Taylor, whom Thomas had been touting on his podcast for the past few months.

But will it be enough to lure him back to the field? The Browns could know within the next 24 hours.