In addition to the strength of schedule, the Browns will also face six teams with new head coaches, including the Raiders (3-14), Titans (3-14), Giants (4-13), Falcons (8-9), Steelers (10-7) and the Ravens (8-9). That is eight games with teams with first year head coaches. Sometimes, it takes time for a team to find their rhythm with a new head coach. The same could be said about the Browns with Monken.
Another factor that should help the Browns is that this year, the Browns will face the four teams in the NFC South (Panthers, Buccaneers, Falcons and Saints). The Panthers are one of the four teams the Browns will face that made the playoffs last season, but they won the division with a losing record.
However, much changes from one season to the next in the NFL.
Teams change coaching staffs, sign free agents, make trades and add drafted rookies. Some teams that had losing records like the Chiefs, Colts, Bengals, Falcons and the Ravens had injuries at quarterback for part or all of the season.
On the day that Jimmy Haslam fired Kevin Stefanski, Haslam was asked if the expectation to win in 2026 is realistic.
"Well, let's see what happens over the next 120 days, okay," he said. "There are a lot of examples of teams going from last to first in the NFL. So, do I think we have the core of a team? Yes. Do we have work to do in rebuilding the roster? Absolutely."
The 120 days that he spoke of has come and gone and the Browns have overhauled their offense, including bringing in seven new offensive linemen and upgrading their wide receiver room with a first- and second-round wide receivers added in the draft.