The Browns woke up tied with the Ravens for first place in the AFC North, and the next two weeks could go a long way toward changing how this team is viewed.
That starts with Sunday’s trip to face the 1-3 Jets, a team mired in the kind of chaos that usually invites trouble for the opponent - except Cleveland has already walked into this spot and come away burned. The Browns have lost their last two road games against New York by seven points apiece, and both losses came in ugly, very different ways.
In 2020, COVID gutted Cleveland’s receiver room and left Baker Mayfield throwing to Ja’Marcus Bradley and Marvin Hall. Last season, the Browns were undone by special teams breakdowns, with the Jets returning both a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns, while Cleveland’s defense also struggled against a New York offense that “could not complete a pass to save its life.”
So the setup is clear: if the Browns want to be taken seriously as contenders and not let Thursday’s win over the Steelers stand as the season’s high point, they have to handle the Jets first. Only then does next week’s home meeting with Baltimore become the real headline.
There’s plenty of fallout from the Pittsburgh win worth watching, too. One of the biggest questions looming is at quarterback, where Dillon Gabriel’s return from injured reserve is starting to come into focus.
On defense, rookie safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren made his presence felt, and his snap count doubled against the Steelers. And on offense, the Browns got enough from Jerry Jeudy and Jaleel McLaughlin to help make a difference.
Elsewhere around the team, there’s a lot of good feeling attached to the Steelers victory, while the offensive line drew praise for putting together its best game against Pittsburgh. Jerry Jeudy also snapped his catch drought and was a key part of the winning drive, even while being described as a “rotational player.”
There’s also optimism building around the passing game. Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion Jr. are developing into key contributors there, and Deshaun Watson is said to be loving the addition of the rookie pass catchers.
And on the coaching side, Todd Monken’s start has drawn notice as well. Through four games, he’s been described as an old-school coach who can connect with his young roster.
Around the division, the Ravens got a scare when Lamar Jackson exited against the Titans with an ankle injury. The note from Baltimore was simple enough: “Wishing Lamar a speedy recovery. Probably a good idea to take at least the next two games off just to be safe.”
In Other News...
Browns Could Face One Trade Deadline Call That Changes Everything
With the 2026 NFL trade deadline still ahead, the Browns are already being linked to ideas that could reshape the roster in a hurry. One of the more eye-catching possibilities is a run at Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., a move that would instantly change the conversation around Clevelands passing game and give the front office a clear swing at adding star power.
There are other names in the mix as well, including Commanders defensive player Chase Young as a possible target and Jerry Jeudy as a receiver whose future could become part of the deadline picture. None of it is set in stone, of course, but the broader point is hard to miss: Cleveland could be staring at a trade deadline decision with real long-term consequences, the kind that says as much about where the franchise thinks it is as where it wants to go next. [Read more 🡒]
Browns' Hot Start Is Creating A New Draft Pick Problem
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It is a good problem to have, of course, and one that comes with the usual tradeoffs. A fast start changes the conversation around the roster, the standings and even the value of future assets, especially with injuries and recent results reshaping the league order each week. For Cleveland, the focus remains on the next stretch of the schedule, but the long view is already getting a little more complicated than it was a month ago. [Read more 🡒]
Browns May Already Have A Backfield Spark They Can't Ignore
The Browns have spent the first month looking for more life in the run game, and the numbers have not been kind. Through four games, Cleveland is averaging 93.8 rushing yards per game, a mark that leaves the offense sitting 25th in the league and searching for a spark behind a ground attack that has too often stalled out.
Jaleel McLaughlin may have given them a reason to keep looking his way. With Dylan Sampson dealing with injuries, McLaughlin has earned more chances and flashed against the Steelers with a 28-yard touchdown run, while Quinshon Judkins has shouldered the bulk of the work without much efficiency. McLaughlin could fit as a change-of-pace option, and if that role keeps growing, the Browns may already have a backfield wrinkle worth leaning into. [Read more 🡒]