The Cleveland Browns probably won't make the playoffs.
NFL analyst Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report has named the Cleveland Browns as a "miracle required" team to make the playoffs in 2026.
In Year 1 of the Todd Monken era, the Browns play the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts. That's a pretty tough schedule.
"The Myles Garrett trade was a dead giveaway that they're thinking long-term rather than focusing on 2026," Gagnon wrote. "Question marks at quarterback and inevitable growing pains with young offensive talent in general likely indicate this'll be a third consecutive season with a handful or fewer wins for the Browns."
The Browns traded superstar Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason. Jared Verse is a good player, but he's not an all-world talent like Garrett.
As a result, Cleveland's defense will take a step back in 2026.
The Browns' offense will likely be putrid next season as well. Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson will be the starting QB and both guys are below-average QBs.
Sanders finished his rookie season with 1,400 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 169 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. He went 3-4 as a starter.
Meanwhile, Watson didn't play last season. He was recovering from the Achilles tear he suffered during the 2024 season.
Since making his Browns debut, Watson has posted a 33.1 Total QBR, the lowest among qualified passers. The odds of the former Houston Texans star turning back the clock after an Achilles tear are pretty low, which is why many NFL pundits believe Cleveland should start Shedeur so the team can fully evaluate him for an entire season.
Cleveland faces Jacksonville in Week 1. It will be interesting to see who is under center for the Browns. ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano believes Watson will start Week 1 and Sanders "will play a representative number of games this season."
"Week 1 starter prediction: Watson," Graziano wrote. "The process-driven Browns aren't going to decide this based on public perception -- that is, what their fans would think. And Monken, who has waited a long time to be a head coach, is likely to push for the guy who gives Cleveland the best chance to win. A healthy Watson, performing the way he did early in spring practices, could very well end training camp looking like that guy.
"But I'm very much of the belief that Sanders will play a representative number of games this season, even if he doesn't get to play the first one. The Browns need to know what they have before next year's draft."
