From high-stakes revenge games with their former coach and quarterback, to some intense AFC North division matchups, here are four bold predictions about the Cleveland Browns 2026 schedule.
Anticipation continues to mount over the NFL's annual schedule release, formally set for 8 p.m. on Thursday night. But by now, the leaks leading up to the grand reveal are part of the experience, giving fans a couple of days notice to start piecing together their favorite team's schedule.
That's already happening for the Cleveland Browns, with recent leaks revealing they won't be playing in a previously reported international matchup with the New Orleans Saints in Paris. To take it a step further, Cleveland isn't expected to even be part of this year's international slate of games.
Regardless, with a new head coach in Todd Monken at the helm, the Browns 2026 schedule still comes with plenty of intrigue. That starts in the division, with an always competitive AFC North that includes three new coaches.
Cleveland is set to face an AFC South division that had two teams make the playoffs last year as well, plus the NFC South, which includes matchups against familiar faces like Kevin Stefanski (now the Atlanta Falcons head coach) and Baker Mayfield (starting QB for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
With all that in mind, here are four bold predictions for the Browns 2026 schedule:
1) Multiple Prime Time Games
Outside of the polarizing presence of Shedeur Sanders, there was very little buzz around the Browns in 2025, and the league's schedule makers kept that in mind when they opted for giving Cleveland zero prime-time games.
The uncertain QB situation certainly played a role in that, and while that role is once again in flux this year, with Monken holding an open competition for the starting job, there is more meat on the bone with Cleveland in general this year, to sell as a prime time storyline.
That includes revenge plots against teams like the Bucs with Mayfield and the Falcons with Stefanski, plus six AFC North matchups that are always an easy sell. There's a matchup between Monken and his former boss John Harbaugh, now the head of the New York Giants to consider as well. Also, if Sanders is going to play at any point this season, getting him in prime time is a no-brainer.
I'm predicting the Browns will have multiple prime-time matchups in 2026, at least one will be against a division rival. Bonus points if I get this right: Baltimore.
2) Opening on the Road
Cleveland has had the luxury of opening their season at home in the friendly confines of Huntington Bank Field in each of the last three years. That stretch has included two matchups with in-state rival Cincinnati in 2023 and 2025. Squeezed between them, a high-profile Week 1 showdown with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024.
It seems pretty reasonable to infer that after three straight openers at home, that will change this year. Expect the Browns to open the 2026 campaign on the road.
3) Stefanski vs. Monken
It's honestly a gift that the stars aligned for Stefanski to land in Atlanta with the Browns and Falcons scheduled to face off next season. The spurned former coach versus his former team has been a juicy storyline since the founding of football.
Making it even better is the fact that it's a home game for Cleveland, meaning Stefanski will return to his old stomping grounds as a visitor for the first time. In light of predicting the Browns will open the season on the road, give me Falcons matchup as a home opener one week later in Week 2.
4) Bye, Bye, Bye
The Browns have had some pretty favorable bye weeks that have fallen around the midway point of the season over the last six seasons. In 2020, Cleveland was idle in Week 9. In 2021, it was a late-season bye in Week 13. 2022 was back to Week 9. 2023 was an early Week 5 bye. And then 2024 and 2025 were Weeks 10 and 9 respectively.
Only once in the last six years have the Browns had their bye week before Week 9. That feels too good to be true. I'm anticipating an early-season week off this year. For what it's worth, Week 5 is the earliest possible week teams can have a bye.
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