With just two weeks left in the 2025 NFL regular season, the Cleveland Browns find themselves in a position no team wants to be in-but one that could shape the future of the franchise. They're firmly in the mix for one of the top two picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and every snap from here on out could shift their draft destiny.
Now, here's where things get interesting: in Week 17, the Browns face the Pittsburgh Steelers. And while that might not sound like a high-stakes showdown on the surface, it could have serious implications for Cleveland’s draft position.
A win over Pittsburgh might feel good in the moment, especially against a division rival, but it could also nudge the Browns out of prime draft real estate. That’s the delicate balance of late-season football when the playoffs are out of reach-every result becomes a tug-of-war between pride and long-term planning.
Meanwhile, the NFL’s Christmas Day slate looked promising when the schedule was first released. But fast-forward to now, and the shine has dulled a bit.
Of the six teams playing on the holiday, only the Detroit Lions are still battling for a playoff berth. The Denver Broncos are already in, and while they’re still jockeying for seeding, the urgency isn’t quite the same.
The other teams? Either out of the hunt or playing with little more than pride on the line.
To make matters more unpredictable, Thursday’s matchups will feature a carousel of backup quarterbacks. Starters like Patrick Mahomes, Jayden Daniels, and JJ McCarthy are all sidelined, which adds another layer of chaos to games that already have uneven stakes. That means we could see some unexpected outcomes-something that could either help or hurt Cleveland, depending on how things fall.
For Browns fans, two Christmas Day games are worth watching-not because of playoff implications, but because of how they could impact the 2026 draft order:
Broncos over Chiefs - This one’s all about the pick Cleveland holds from Jacksonville. If the Jaguars sneak into the top seed in the AFC, that draft pick drops in value. A Denver win helps keep Jacksonville from climbing too high, which is exactly what Browns fans want.
Commanders over Cowboys - Washington already has four wins, and while it’s a long shot, another W would be huge for Cleveland. If the Browns manage to win one-or even both-of their final games, a Commanders win would help keep them ahead in the standings, preserving Cleveland’s shot at a top-two pick.
Still, as important as these Thursday games might be, they’re just the appetizer. Sunday’s matchups will carry even more weight when it comes to shaping the final draft order.
So if you’re a Browns fan, keep an eye on the scoreboard this Christmas-but be ready for the main course later in the weekend. Another draft rooting guide will break down all the moving parts as we head into the final stretch.