Cleveland Browns Offseason Outlook: Elite Defense, Big Questions on Offense
The 2025 NFL season wrapped up with Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara, and while the Cleveland Browns were nowhere near the big stage, the focus in Northeast Ohio has already shifted to what comes next. With a new head coach in Todd Monken and a roster loaded with defensive firepower, the Browns head into the offseason with one clear mission: fix the offense.
Let’s break it down-where the Browns stand, what needs to change, and how far they really are from being a playoff team in 2026.
Defense Wins Championships… But Not Alone
Let’s start with what isn’t broken. The Browns' defense is the real deal.
Myles Garrett continues to anchor one of the most disruptive units in football. Week in and week out, they kept Cleveland competitive, even when the offense sputtered.
This group is deep, physical, and fast-exactly what you want in today’s NFL. If you're building a contender, this is the side of the ball you want to start with.
But as we saw all season, even the most dominant defenses can only carry a team so far when the offense can’t hold up its end. And right now, Cleveland’s offense is in flux.
Quarterback Questions Loom Large
The biggest storyline heading into the offseason? The quarterback position.
There’s no clear answer under center. Rookie Shedeur Sanders showed flashes, but head coach Todd Monken has yet to fully commit to him as the Week 1 starter.
That tells you everything you need to know about how wide open this competition will be. Expect the Browns to invest in the quarterback room-whether that’s through free agency, the draft, or both.
They need someone who can command the offense, protect the football, and make plays when it matters.
Until that question is answered, it’s hard to project this team as anything more than a work in progress on offense.
Offensive Line: From Strength to Uncertainty
Not long ago, Cleveland’s offensive line was considered one of the best in the league. That’s no longer the case. Injuries and inconsistency have turned a once-dominant unit into a major concern.
The Browns could be looking at replacing four-possibly all five-starters up front. That’s a massive undertaking.
Dawand Jones has potential, but his health remains a question mark. Expect the front office to be aggressive here, both in free agency and the draft.
They have no choice. If the line doesn’t improve, it won’t matter who’s playing quarterback.
Skill Positions Need a Shake-Up
Beyond the quarterback and offensive line, the Browns need more juice at the skill positions-especially at wide receiver. The current group simply isn’t dynamic enough to stretch defenses or consistently win one-on-one matchups. That’s a problem in a league where explosive plays are the currency of successful offenses.
Look for Cleveland to target playmakers this offseason. Whether it’s a veteran wideout with speed or a young pass-catcher with upside, the Browns need to reload here if they want to keep pace in the AFC.
Playoff Path: Not as Distant as It Seems
Here’s the twist-despite all these offensive issues, the Browns aren’t as far from playoff contention as some might think.
Yes, they only won five games in 2025. But they were competitive in most of them, thanks to that elite defense.
And the AFC North wasn’t exactly a gauntlet last season. Only one team finished with a winning record, and even that team had its flaws.
With the AFC in a bit of a transition-Kansas City retooling, New England and Buffalo breaking in new coaches, and uncertainty in Baltimore and Cincinnati-the door is open. If Cleveland can stabilize the offense and get even average quarterback play, they’ll be in the mix.
Cap Space, Draft Capital, and a Window to Compete
The good news? The Browns have options.
They’re expected to clear cap space, which gives them flexibility to make moves. Whether that means bringing in a veteran QB, upgrading the offensive line, or adding skill position talent, the front office has the tools to reshape this offense quickly.
They also have valuable draft capital. And if their 2025 rookie class is any indication, they’re drafting well. That’s critical for a team trying to rebuild on the fly.
The Verdict: Not a Super Bowl Team Yet, But...
Let’s be real: Cleveland isn’t in the Super Bowl conversation right now. That’s a leap too far.
But playoff contention? That’s not out of reach.
The defense is already there. The coaching staff is in place.
The front office has resources. If the Browns can hit on a quarterback, rebuild the offensive line, and add a few weapons, there’s no reason they can’t be playing meaningful football in December.
It’s not about reinventing the wheel-it’s about fixing what’s broken on offense and letting the defense do what it does best. If they can do that, the Browns won’t just be dreaming about the playoffs-they’ll be fighting for a spot in them.