From Kevin Stefanski's return to Cleveland, to a rematchup with former quarterback Baker Mayfield, the Browns' 2026 schedule is officially set.
The NFL's annual schedule reveal is one of the most highly anticipated days of the offseason for fans, as their favorite team's schedule takes shape with official date and times for the entirety of their 17-game schedule.
For the Cleveland Browns, 2026 is a season of opportunity, with Todd Monken taking over as head coach and bringing a new vision for the future of the franchise. Plenty of new faces will factor into that as well, including a new 10-person draft class that's headline by first-round picks Spencer Fano and KC Concepcion.
While most of the new additions are on the offensive side of the ball, the Browns' defense returns a number of key figures like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward, which should provide some stability to a that is expected to experience some growing pains given the injection of youth to the roster.
On top of six highly competitive matchups with their three AFC North rivals, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, Cleveland's 2026 schedule features a handful of intriguing storylines from fired head coach Kevin Stefansk's return to Huntington Bank Field, a showdown with former first-overall pick Baker Mayfield, who is now found stability as the quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, plus, Monken squaring off with his former boss, John Harbaugh and his new team the New York Giants.
Without further ado, here's the Browns official 2026 schedule:
Week 1: AT Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday - Sept. 13, 1 p.m.
After three consecutive years of opening the season at home, the Browns will head south for Week 1.
Week 2: AT Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday - Sept. 20, 1 p.m.
Ex-Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield gets a chance to exact some revenge against his former team, almost immediately. It's the second time Mayfield will face the team that drafted him, but his first with the Bucs.
Week 3: Carolina Panthers, Sunday - Sept. 27, 1 p.m.
The Browns' home opener finally arrives with a second consecutive matchup against an NFC South opponent.
Week 4: Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday - Oct. 1, 8:15 p.m.
A short week leading into the Browns first AFC North matchup, and their only prime time game in 2026.
Week 5: AT New York Jets, Sunday - Oct. 11, 1 p.m.
The first of two trips to Metlife Stadium in a matchup that could wind up carrying some weight when it comes to the 2027 NFL Draft order.
Week 6: Baltimore Ravens, Sunday - Oct. 18, 1 p.m.
The first of two matchups for Monken against his former team comes at home.
Week 7: At Tennessee Titans, Sunday - Oct. 25, 1 p.m.
A three-game stretch of road games begins in Nashville with the Titans. Could this game come with a rematch between top 2025 QBs Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders? Ward won the first matchup back in December.
Week 8: At Pittsburgh Steelers - Sunday, Nov. 1, 1 p.m.
Perhaps a slight advantage for the Browns as they head to Pittsburgh as the Steelers return from an overseas matchup with the Saints in Paris.
Week 9: At New Orleans Saints - Sunday, Nov. 8, 1 p.m.
One week later, the Browns face the other half of that Paris matchup down in the Bayou.
Week 10: Houston Texans - Sunday, Nov. 15, 1 p.m.
The last of the four playoff teams from 2025 that the Browns face.
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: Las Vegas Raiders - Sunday, Nov. 29, 1 p.m.
Fernando Mendoza comes to Cleveland to provide Browns fans a potential glimpse of what they could have had.
Week 13: Cincinnati Bengals – Saturday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m.
A very late first matchup with in-state rival Cincinnati, who they'll see again in their season finale five weeks later.
Week 14: Atlanta Falcons - Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m.
The long-awaited return to Cleveland for former head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Week 15: At New York Giants- Sunday, Dec. 20, 1 p.m.
Back to New York for the Browns, but this time with the city decked in Christmas decorations.
Week 16: At Baltimore Ravens- Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m.
Round two with Baltimore this time at their place, as Monken returns to the place he called home for the last three seasons.
Week 17: Indianapolis Colts – Sunday, Jan. 3, 1 p.m.
The Browns home finale wraps up the AFC South matchups as the Indianapolis Colts come to town.
Week 18: At Cincinnati Bengals – Sunday, Jan. 10, 1 p.m.
For the second straight year, Cleveland will conclude their regular season in Cincinnati in a game that could mean something for someone in terms of playoff seeding, depending on how each team's season unfolds.
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