Cleveland Browns

CLEVELAND — In just over a week, the Cleveland Browns will kick off the 2026 regular season when they travel to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars.

Like so many seasons before it, uncertainty surrounds the Browns.

A new head coach. Questions at quarterback. One of the NFL's youngest rosters. National analysts have largely written Cleveland off before the season has even begun.

I'm not so sure that's the right call.

No, I don't think the Browns are ready to challenge for a Super Bowl.  But I do think they're closer than many people realize.

With that in mind, here are my three predictions for the 2026 Cleveland Browns.

1. The Browns Will Surprise People

Not every surprise team goes 13-4.

Sometimes surprising people simply means being far more competitive than expected.  That's where I believe the Browns are headed.

Todd Monken inherits a roster that's considerably younger than the one Cleveland fielded a year ago, but it's also a roster that finally feels like it's building toward something instead of clinging to the past - the lone exception being the inexplicable decision to name Deshaun Watson as QB1.

There will absolutely be bumps along the way.  Young players make mistakes.  Young teams lose games they should win.

But young teams also improve rapidly, and I think we'll see that throughout the season.

By December, I expect people around the league to be talking less about the Browns' record and more about how quickly this roster is developing.

2. The Defense Will Keep Cleveland in Games

If the Browns are going to exceed expectations this season, it won't be because they're lighting up scoreboards.  It'll be because the defense gives them a chance every Sunday.

Despite trading away Miles Garrett, Cleveland still has playmakers at every level of the defense.  And just as was the case in years past, this unit will be the backbone of the team.

There will undoubtedly be afternoons where the offense struggles.  Indeed it may struggle most Sundays.  That's life with a young roster and questions at quarterback.

But good defenses travel, they keep games close and they allow young offenses time to grow.  I believe Cleveland's defense will be the biggest reason this team remains competitive well into the season.

Bonus Prediction: The Browns finish among the NFL's Top 10 defenses in points allowed.

3. Cleveland Will Finally Have Something It Hasn't Had in Years—Hope

For Browns fans, the last several years have been exhausting.  Too often the conversation has centered on what went wrong instead of what comes next.

This season feels different.

Not because Cleveland is suddenly a championship contender.  But because there finally seems to be a direction.

Whether it's the development of the team's young players, Todd Monken establishing a new culture or the organization turning its attention toward the future instead of constantly revisiting the past, I believe Browns fans will finish this season feeling optimistic.

That doesn't guarantee a playoff berth.  It doesn't even guarantee a winning record.  Both of which are probably out of reach for this year's Browns squad.

But it does mean the Browns will enter 2027 believing they're building something worth believing in.  That believe will grow in the second half of the year.  The first half, expect the Browns to be well under .500, but expect them to play .500 football—or better—in the second half.

That outlook may not leave everyone feeling hopeful, but sometimes that's exactly where a franchise has to start.

CLEVELAND — After weeks of training camp practices, three preseason games and countless personnel evaluations, the Cleveland Browns have finalized their initial 53-man roster for the 2026 season.

As expected, Sunday's deadline brought several difficult decisions as the Browns trimmed the roster ahead of the Sept. 13 regular-season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the core of the team remained intact, a handful of notable moves highlighted the challenges that come with assembling an NFL roster.

At quarterback, the Browns will carry Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and rookie Taylen Green on the active roster. Dillon Gabriel, who impressed throughout the preseason and threw three touchdown passes in the exhibition finale against New England, was placed on injured reserve with a back injury and designated to return later this season.

The running back room features rookie Quinshon Judkins alongside Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders and fullback Michael Burton. At wide receiver, Jerry Jeudy headlines a group that also includes first-round pick KC Concepcion, fellow rookie Denzel Boston, Isaiah Bond, Malachi Corley and veteran return specialist Tylan Wallace.

Among the more notable cuts was wide receiver Luke Floriea. The Mentor native and former Kent State standout enjoyed a strong preseason, including two touchdown receptions in Cleveland's preseason finale, but was waived as the Browns reduced the roster to the league-mandated limit.

The offensive line and defensive front remained largely as expected, with first-round pick Spencer Fano joining a veteran group anchored by Elgton Jenkins, Tytus Howard and Dawand Jones. Defensively, Cleveland retained a talented front led by Jared Verse, Mason Graham, Maliek Collins and Mike Hall Jr., while Denzel Ward headlines a secondary that returns much of last year's core.

As is the case every year, the initial 53-man roster is unlikely to remain unchanged for long.

The Browns can continue making roster moves through waiver claims, free-agent signings and practice squad additions before opening the regular season. Sunday's announcement represents an important milestone, but not the final chapter in constructing the roster that will take the field against Jacksonville.

For now, however, the evaluation period has come to an end.

The Browns have identified the 53 players they believe give them the best opportunity to begin the 2026 season, and the organization's full attention now turns toward preparing for meaningful football.

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns closed the preseason with their most complete performance of the summer Thursday night, defeating the New England Patriots 37-13 at Huntington Bank Field.

With many projected starters resting ahead of the regular season, several young players took advantage of extended opportunities. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel led the way, completing 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns in one half of work to help Cleveland finish the preseason 1-2.

The Browns wasted little time getting on the scoreboard.

Gabriel directed a 67-yard opening drive, capping it with a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Luke Floriea for an early 7-0 lead. New England answered moments later when Tommy DeVito connected with Kyle Williams on a 45-yard touchdown pass, but Cleveland quickly regained control.

Gabriel's second touchdown strike came midway through the opening quarter, as he found Floriea again from 14 yards out to put the Browns back in front. Cleveland added a pair of Andre Szmyt field goals before Gabriel tossed his third touchdown of the first half, a 7-yard pass to running back Ahmani Marshall that sent the Browns into halftime with a 27-13 advantage.

While Gabriel starred through the air, Cleveland's defense steadily took over after allowing New England's opening touchdown.

The Browns held the Patriots scoreless in the second half and forced two interceptions of rookie quarterback Behren Morton. Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold recorded the first takeaway on a tipped pass, while Justin Jefferson added another interception later in the fourth quarter. Those turnovers helped Cleveland maintain control as the Patriots struggled to sustain drives.

Rookie quarterback Taylen Green handled the second half and showcased the athleticism that made him an intriguing draft selection. Green completed 5 of 7 passes while adding 66 rushing yards, including a 30-yard scramble that ignited a 98-yard touchdown drive capped by Davon Booth's 8-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter.

Floriea continued his strong preseason with two touchdown receptions, strengthening his case for a spot on Cleveland's 53-man roster. Gabriel also spread the ball effectively to Gage Larvadain, Ben Patterson and Kole Wilson, highlighting the depth the Browns have developed at wide receiver.

Although preseason results don't count in the standings, the finale gave Cleveland's coaching staff plenty of encouraging performances to evaluate before final roster decisions. The Browns generated consistent offense, protected the football and played their cleanest game of the preseason as they turned their attention toward Week 1.

What's Next: The Browns must trim their roster to the NFL's 53-player limit before beginning preparations for their Sept. 13 regular-season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Final roster decisions and practice squad signings will take center stage over the coming days.

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns have made their decision at quarterback.

Head coach Todd Monken announced Monday that Deshaun Watson will start the Browns' regular-season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13, ending a competition that stretched throughout the offseason and preseason.

Monken said the decision came after evaluating the quarterbacks' performances throughout organized team activities, training camp, joint practices and the preseason schedule. Ultimately, he believed Watson gives Cleveland the best opportunity to begin the season with a victory.

"Took in the full body of work over the course of the offseason, training camp, the games and the joint practice, and ultimately felt like, to start the season on the road, Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points," Monken said.

Watson's return marks another milestone in his recovery from the Achilles injuries that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. He appeared in each of Cleveland's first two preseason games, completing 16 of 27 passes for 162 yards while continuing to work his way back into game action.

The announcement also concludes weeks of speculation surrounding the Browns' quarterback room.

Shedeur Sanders, who started seven games for Cleveland last season, split first-team reps with Watson throughout much of training camp and started the Browns' second preseason game against Buffalo. Monken praised Sanders' development during camp, noting he had significantly narrowed the gap, but said the coaching staff believes Watson is the right choice to open the season.

The decision leaves Sanders in line to serve as Cleveland's primary backup entering Week 1, though the Browns also have Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green on the roster as they finalize their quarterback depth chart before the regular season.

Monken emphasized that the decision is not intended to be a week-to-week evaluation. Instead, the Browns plan to move forward with Watson as their starter while preparing for Jacksonville over the final weeks before the opener.

For Cleveland, the focus now shifts from evaluating quarterbacks to preparing for meaningful football. After an offseason filled with questions under center, the Browns have identified the player they believe gives them the best chance to begin the 2026 season on the right foot.

CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson finally heard what many Browns fans have been trying to say for years.

As Watson walked off the field after completing just 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and throwing an interception, boos echoed throughout Huntington Bank Field. Personally, I think they came far too late. The booing shouldn't begin after a poor performance or an interception. It should begin the moment he steps onto the field wearing a Browns uniform.

Help me understand something. How is Deshaun Watson still on an NFL roster? How is there even a conversation about him taking meaningful snaps for this franchise, let alone being named starter?

Yeah, I get the cap hit if they were to let him go. That doesn't mean he's worthy of starting for the Browns—or even serving as the backup. The Browns could easily say, "Here's your bag. Best of luck to you." They simply don't have the courage to do it.

After the game, Watson called the boos "disrespectful" and "personal." Some of his teammates defended him.

Personal? Absolutely.

It is personal.

Not because Watson threw an interception in a meaningless preseason game, but because many Browns fans have never accepted what the Browns chose to overlook when they traded for him.

Twenty-seven women accused Watson of sexual misconduct in civil lawsuits.  That isn't a former girlfriend or acquaintance or a single individual who accused him of sexual misconduct.  Literally dozens (with an “s”) of women came forward. 

Whether someone believes those allegations should define him forever is a matter of opinion, but no one should be surprised that many fans believe they do, and pretending otherwise insults the intelligence of people buying the tickets.

So, when Watson asks for respect, I have a simple question in return: respect for what?

His play certainly hasn't earned it. He has been absolutely abysmal as the starting quarterback for the Browns, and one disappointing performance after another has only reinforced the feeling that the trade has become one of the worst decisions in franchise history (and personally, not only do I think it’s the worst trade in franchise history, but it ranks only behind the Saints mortgaging their entire draft for Ricky Williams as the worst trade in the history of the sport). For many fans, his off-field reputation eliminated whatever goodwill his on-field performance might have earned.

That said, the Browns deserve every bit as much of the criticism. This wasn't an unfortunate circumstance thrust upon the organization. It was a deliberate decision. The franchise willingly tied itself to one of the most controversial players in modern professional sports and then seemed genuinely surprised when a significant portion of its fan base refused to embrace him. That's not the fans' failure. That's on the Browns for being completely blind and completely tone-deaf.

Perhaps what's most frustrating is watching members of the organization act as though the public's reaction is somehow unfair. It isn't. Fans invest thousands of dollars, countless Sundays, and an enormous amount of emotional energy into this team. They're allowed to reject—and yes, boo—decisions they believe hurt both the football team and the values the Browns should represent.

So yes, boo.

Boo when he throws an interception.  Boo when he jogs onto the field.  Boo because you're tired of being asked to separate the player from everything that brought him here in the first place.  And boo the front office for continuing to stand behind him.

If that makes Watson uncomfortable, so be it.  Be a better human being and a better quarterback – in that order. 

The problem was never, nor will it ever be the boos.  The problem is Deshaun Watson and the organization that continues to enable him.

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns opened Saturday's preseason matchup by matching the Buffalo Bills score for score. After that, the visitors controlled the afternoon.

The Bills scored 24 unanswered points after the opening quarter to defeat the Browns 31-7 at Huntington Bank Field, dropping Cleveland to 0-2 in the preseason.

After a weather delay paused the game early in the first quarter, Buffalo struck first on a one-yard touchdown run by Ray Davis to cap a 75-yard opening drive. Cleveland answered with an impressive possession of its own.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders converted a fourth-and-2 with a 16-yard completion to tight end Blake Whiteheart before finding wide receiver Luke Floriea for an eight-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone. The 11-play, 65-yard drive tied the game at 7-7 and showcased Sanders' poise during his second preseason appearance.

The Browns appeared ready to take their first lead midway through the second quarter after Sanders connected with Floriea for a 23-yard gain on third-and-15 and a defensive pass interference penalty moved Cleveland deep into Buffalo territory. The drive came to an abrupt end, however, when safety Damar Hamlin intercepted a tipped pass in the end zone.

Buffalo capitalized before halftime.

With less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter, Kyle Allen led a quick four-play, 62-yard drive that ended with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman Jr., giving the Bills a 14-7 lead they would never relinquish.

The Bills extended the advantage in the second half with a 52-yard field goal before turning a Browns turnover into the game's biggest play. After defensive back Te'Cory Couch intercepted Deshaun Watson late in the third quarter, Buffalo needed just two plays before Shane Buechele connected with Ja'Mori Maclin for a 71-yard touchdown that stretched the lead to 24-7.

Buechele later added a five-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to account for the final margin.

Sanders finished 9 of 11 passing for 74 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Floriea continued his strong preseason by leading Cleveland's receiving corps, while Watson played into the second half and threw an interception of his own.

Although the Browns remained winless through two preseason games, the coaching staff continued to gather valuable evaluations with roster decisions looming. Several young players again flashed potential, but turnovers and missed opportunities prevented Cleveland from keeping pace with a Buffalo team that capitalized on nearly every mistake.

What's Next: The Browns conclude the preseason Thursday night when they host the New England Patriots at Huntington Bank Field. The finale will be the final opportunity for many players to make their case before the roster is trimmed to 53 players.

CHICAGO — The Cleveland Browns couldn't have asked for a much better start to their preseason opener. The finish, however, left plenty to be desired.

After building a 10-0 lead in the first half, the Browns surrendered 34 consecutive points as the Chicago Bears pulled away for a 34-10 victory Saturday afternoon at Soldier Field.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson made his first game appearance since suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in 2024 and showed some encouraging signs during his limited action. Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards while leading Cleveland on two scoring drives before a costly second-quarter fumble shifted the game's momentum.

The Browns struck first after forcing a three-and-out on Chicago's opening possession. A 31-yard punt return by rookie KC Concepcion gave Cleveland good field position, setting up Andre Szmyt's 50-yard boot for a 3-0 lead.

Cleveland extended the advantage early in the second quarter with its most impressive drive of the afternoon. Watson completed all four of his pass attempts on the possession, including a 43-yard screen to running back Dylan Sampson that flipped the field. Moments later, Concepcion capped the 81-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown run to give the Browns a 10-0 lead.

The turning point came on Cleveland's next possession.

Facing a fourth-and-2 near midfield, Watson was stripped by Bears linebacker Jamree Kromah, who also recovered the fumble. Chicago converted the takeaway into a touchdown just three plays later when Tyson Bagent found Maurice Alexander for a 25-yard score. Cairo Santos added a 51-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, sending the teams into the locker room tied at 10-10.

The Bears seized control after halftime.

Case Keenum engineered touchdown drives on Chicago's first two possessions of the third quarter, highlighted by a 49-yard catch-and-run by Salvon Ahmed and a six-yard touchdown pass to Brittain Brown. Another touchdown run in the fourth quarter, along with a late field goal, completed Chicago's 34 unanswered points.

Shedeur Sanders took over at quarterback to begin the second half and completed 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards. He directed one promising drive to the Chicago 5-yard line, but the Browns came away empty after Ahmani Marshall was stopped on fourth-and-1. Sanders later threw an interception before giving way to rookie Dillon Gabriel, who finished out the game.

Despite the lopsided final score, the opener provided Cleveland with meaningful evaluation opportunities as the coaching staff continued sorting through position battles across the roster. Watson's return, Concepcion's playmaking ability and several young defensive contributors offered positives, while turnovers and second-half execution highlighted areas that will need improvement before the regular season begins.  

What's Next: The Browns travel to Buffalo for their second preseason game on Aug. 21. The matchup follows a week of joint practices between the two teams and is expected to provide extended opportunities for Cleveland's younger players and quarterbacks competing for roster spots.

The Columbus Crew defeated FC Cincinnati on Saturday night, and if you're a Crew supporter, it was about as satisfying a result as you could ask for. The atmosphere was electric, as always, the soccer was outstanding, and Columbus earned three points against one of its biggest rivals.

As I watched the match, though, I kept catching myself having the same thought I've had for years whenever two Ohio teams play each other: I wish they didn't.

Now, before anyone accuses me of wanting to get rid of the Hell Is Real Derby, Browns-Bengals games or the Ohio Cup, that's not what I'm saying at all. These games are important. They're good for the teams, they're good for the leagues, and they're incredibly fun for fans.

But I just feel... funky... the entire time I'm watching one of these games. Literally every play is simultaneously the best and the suck. One side scores and I'm happy. The other side gives up a goal and... well... I'm not. How can anybody party like that? Serious question.

Growing up outside Cincinnati, I was, of course, a Bengals fan. What I was always afraid to admit to anyone—certainly not my father or my brothers—was that, as long as the Browns weren't playing the Bengals, I quietly hoped they won too. As it turns out, my brothers secretly rooted for the Browns as well. These days, we've all come clean and freely admit we root for the Guardians.

But I think my wiring goes back even farther than that.

One of my earliest childhood memories is visiting family in Tennessee. We made that trip at least once every year, and usually more than once. During one visit, there was a football game on television, and one of the teams had a giant orange "T" on the side of its helmet. I remember asking what the "T" stood for—probably because I was at the age where everything was "A is for Apple" and "B is for Ball."

"Tennessee," someone told me.

Well... that made perfect sense. We were in Tennessee.  So I asked the next obvious question.

"Does Ohio have a team?"

My aunt smiled and said, "Yes. Ohio has the Ohio State Buckeyes."

Ohio.  State.

To my little-kid brain, that wasn't just a university. That was Ohio's team.  It encompassed the entirety of the state.  It was OUR team.  Where we were from.

On the drive home, I remember asking my dad, "Does Cincinnati have a team like the Buckeyes?"  He answered the question from the college perspective.  "Yes. The Cincinnati Bearcats."

And just like that, the Bearcats joined Ohio State in my little collection of teams. Looking back, I think that's where this whole thing started. Somewhere along the way, my brain permanently linked sports teams to the place where I lived instead of making me choose just one.  Which is actually to say, I had no choice.

I remember another moment years later that reinforced it.

I was watching a college basketball highlights show, and several Ohio teams had all won on the same day. For whatever reason, that absolutely fired me up. I grabbed a basketball, ran outside into the driveway and started yelling, "Ohio hoops! Ohio hoops!" while launching jumpers at the basket.

Sadly, that excitement was soon tempered as I obsessively recreated the baseline jumper Chris Jent missed against that team up north. Every miss sent me a little deeper into a malaise that lingered well past dinner.

So when UC plays Ohio State, it honestly feels like my brothers are fighting each other.  I want to run out onto the field and intervene.

That's why I don't like when Ohio teams play each other. It's just not cool.

Yet somehow..it totally is.  And now sports has become a Ren video.  See what I'm saying?

It's goofy.

But it's also awesome.

Most fans live for these games because they get bragging rights. They spend all week talking with friends, coworkers and family members who support the other side. Then, after the game, somebody gets to enjoy saying, "I told you so."

I've never cared much about that part. To be honest, I absolutely loathe the trash talk. (I'm looking at you, UC fans, every time the Bearcats play Ohio State. Look, I went to UC. I love that university. But some of the things I read online before those games are just embarrassing. Stop. Please.)

What I enjoy is watching Ohio teams compete against everybody else. If the Crew are playing Nashville, I hope Columbus wins. If FC Cincinnati is playing Atlanta, I hope Cincinnati wins. If the Browns are taking on Pittsburgh, or the Reds are hosting the Cubs, I'm all in. It feels like the entire state is pulling in the same direction, even if it's spread across different leagues and different cities.

Then the schedule gives us Crew versus Cincinnati or Browns versus Bengals, and suddenly one of my teams has to lose.

Of course, I know that's how sports work. Rivalries aren't going anywhere, nor should they. Hell Is Real has become one of the best rivalries in American sports because supporters on both sides have embraced it. Browns-Bengals games matter because they're divisional matchups. Guardians-Reds games are a reminder that Ohio is home to two proud—and historic—baseball franchises.

I'll continue watching every one of them.

I'll cheer when somebody scores a great goal, makes a spectacular catch or throws a game-winning touchdown. And when the final whistle or final out arrives, I'll congratulate the winner just like everyone else.

I just know that, for me, every celebration comes with one tiny, unavoidable thought in the back of my mind.

It's too bad the other Ohio team had to lose.