The Cleveland Browns are heading into 2026 with change at the top and cautious optimism in the air. After back-to-back seasons with just five and three wins, the organization parted ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski but chose to keep general manager Andrew Berry in place. According to team owner Jimmy Haslam, it was Berry’s 2025 draft class that earned him another shot at building the Browns back into a contender.
That vote of confidence speaks volumes, especially as the Browns face another pivotal offseason. The 2026 schedule includes some intriguing matchups-and potentially a trip overseas to Paris-but before fans start dreaming about a playoff push, there’s a lot of heavy lifting to be done.
New head coach Todd Monken steps in with a tall order: revamp an offense that’s short on proven starters, make the right call at quarterback, and install a scheme that fits the personnel. It’s a three-part challenge that will define not only Monken’s first year in Cleveland but potentially the trajectory of the franchise under this regime.
Berry, speaking after Monken’s introductory press conference, made it clear that this won’t be a free agency spending spree. Despite the rising salary cap, the Browns aren’t planning to chase a bunch of veteran players in their 30s to try and fast-track contention.
“We’re not necessarily going to be in the phase where we’re going to sign, you know, a bunch of mid-30s veterans to like put us over the top,” Berry said. “That doesn’t mean that we’re not going to participate in free agency or participate with veteran players. But the reality of having, you know, 10 selections, eight that are in the top 150 and already a very young defense and with pretty heavy investment on offense… in most worlds, we’re probably going to be one of the younger teams in the league.”
That’s a revealing quote. Berry isn’t just managing expectations-he’s framing the 2026 Browns as a team still in the build phase. With 10 draft picks, including eight in the top 150, Cleveland is clearly leaning on youth and development rather than short-term fixes.
Right now, the offense has only a couple of locked-in starters. Running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. are penciled in, and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is expected back based on his contract.
Beyond that? It’s wide open.
The Browns need to find eight more starters, including a full offensive line, and they’ll have to do it through a mix of internal development, free agency, and the draft.
That’s a big ask-especially for a unit that struggled last season. Relying heavily on rookies and unproven players is rarely a recipe for immediate success, and Berry’s comments suggest the team isn’t expecting to suddenly leap into contention.
The phrase “put us over the top” is telling. It implies that Cleveland isn’t quite at the doorstep of playoff relevance just yet.
So what does this mean for Browns fans? Patience, once again, will be the name of the game.
The foundation may be getting stronger-especially on defense-but the offense is still under construction. Monken’s arrival brings fresh ideas and energy, and Berry’s draft capital gives the team a real chance to reshape the roster.
But in a league where windows open and close quickly, the Browns are still working to build theirs.
If 2026 ends up being another year of growing pains, that doesn’t mean the rebuild is off track. It just means the Browns are playing the long game. And for a franchise that’s been searching for sustained success for decades, that might be the smartest approach.