We all knew this day was coming.

But a year ago at this time – or even six months ago – we didn’t know it would be coming so soon.

Browns left tackle Joe Thomas has retired. With what has happened – or, in this case, not happened – over the last month, this is hardly a surprise. In fact, it was a done deal – or an undone deal – because Thomas kept putting off his decision. He kept waiting for that spark to keep playing, to enter his gut. It never did. If he really wanted to play, then that spark would have come long, long ago.

Joe Thomas is the best left tackle in team history, even better than the great Lou Groza. In five years or so, Thomas will join Groza in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and become the 16th former Browns player – and 17th member of the franchise (we’re talking about founding head coach Paul Brown) – to be enshrined.

The Browns will greatly miss Thomas as a player and a person. He was just fantastic in both regards during his 11-year career.

But y’all knew that already.

So let’s cut to the chase and talk about what’s important in the immediate future – that is, life after Joe. In short, it doesn’t look good.

Who will play in his place? Who will be his successor?

Thomas believes it will be Shon Coleman. He’s confident of that.

Joe has, in the last 10 seconds, forgotten more about playing left tackle than the rest of us – combined — will ever know in 10 lifetimes. So I’m enthused by his enthusiasm about Coleman.

But at the same time, and with due respect to Joe, I just don’t believe it. I will have to see it to believe it. And I don’t expect to see it in any way, shape or form.

Coleman has struggled at right tackle. As such, how in the world can anyone think he will be able to handle the much, much more difficult position of left tackle?

The Browns traded to get Tyrod Taylor to be the bridge to the supposed franchise quarterback they hope to take at the top of the 2018 NFL Draft in six weeks.

That left tackle will be protecting the blind side of both quarterbacks, and if the Browns don’t find a competent bodyguard, then those guys are going to get clobbered.

So, yeah, getting Joe’s successor figured out is a big, big deal. Doing so – or not doing so – will have an impact on new General Manager John Dorsey’s job security.