There's a new man calling plays on the Browns' sideline in 2026.
After a whirlwind six-year spell with Kevin Stefanski in charge, Cleveland gave the reins of its roster to former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. It was a bit of a surprise hire — Monken's age and lack of head-coaching experience appeared to leave him on the outside looking in of top coaching jobs.
Monken enjoyed a charmed spell in charge of Baltimore's offense, helping craft a system that amplified Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry's best traits. The Ravens fancied themselves Super Bowl contenders during the first two seasons of Monken's career. However, they never made the leap.
Now, he joins a roster in flux. Myles Garrett is perhaps the best player in the league, having tallied the most sacks in a single season in NFL history. He leads a defense that performed admirably in 2025.
On the other end of the spectrum, Cleveland's attack cratered, with the Browns averaging just 16.4 points per game, the second-worst mark in the league. Monken will have his work cut out for him if he wants to help the Browns' offense return to prominence in 2026 and beyond.
With that, here is a complete breakdown of the Cleveland's 2026 schedule, including dates, start times and analysis for all 17 games.
Cleveland Browns schedule 2026
Home opponents: Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Texans, Colts, Raiders, Falcons, Panthers
Away opponents: Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Jaguars, Titans, Jets, Saints, Buccaneers, Giants
Every NFL team's 2026 opponents are predetermined. Cleveland's full 2026 NFL schedule with dates, times and TV networks will be updated below when the NFL schedule is announced at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 14.
Week Date Opponent Kickoff time (ET) TV channel
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Browns strength of schedule
The Browns finished the 2025 season with the worst strength of schedule among AFC North sides, with their opponents posting a combined win percentage of a paltry 48.6 percent, the 10th-worst mark in football. They weren't able to capitalize to the fullest extent off of their opponents' futility. They should get a chance to right the ship in 2026.
Cleveland has the easiest slate of games in the NFL based on strength of schedule, with its 2026 opponents combining to win just 42.9 percent of their games. Sharp Football Analysis strength of schedule rankings are slightly less favorable, giving Cleveland the fourth-easiest fixture list. Still, all signs are pointing to the Browns having an easier ride than most in 2026.
Toughest tests: There are a few menaces lurking in the shadows of the Browns' schedule. Cleveland hasn't tended to find a lot of success in divisional play as of late, failing to win more divisional matchups than they lost in each season since 2018. The Ravens, Steelers and Bengals will be hoping to extend that run another year.
The Texans, Jaguars and Panthers all punched tickets to the postseason in 2025 and look early favorites to compete for their divisional crowns in 2026, too.
Biggest breaks: Take your pick! The Raiders, Jets and Titans finished with the joint-worst record in the league. The Giants won one more game than they did, although they looked a little more inspiring once Jaxson Dart came into the fold. The Falcons' quarterback room looks shaky, as does the Colts', who will come into the season with a starting quarterback -- Daniel Jones -- that is just months removed from taring his Achilles.
Browns record prediction
Over/under win total: 6.5
Bottom line: Cleveland got some reinforcements during the 2026 Draft, securing Spencer Fano, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in positions of need.
The Browns still look unlikely to make much noise in a hyper-competitive AFC North. Cleveland's defense was as good as advertised in 2025, conceding just 22.3 points per contest, the 14th-best mark in football. Jim Schwartz isn't anchoring that unit from the sideline anymore. But as long as you have Garrett, you have a chance of being one of football's better defensive sides.
On the other side of the ball is where the problems are most glaring. Cleveland's quarterback room was arguably the league's worst in 2025. It could find itself in a similar position in 2026. Fano and Concepcion should help slightly. But the triad of Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel hardly arouses the senses. It's hard to expect anything more than a last-place finish in the AFC North with those players under center, no matter how easy the Browns' schedule looks on paper.
Record prediction: 5-12