The Cleveland Browns' 2025 season has officially hit a familiar and frustrating milestone: they’ve been eliminated from playoff contention and are locked into last place in the AFC North. Even if they manage to win out and finish 5-12, and even if the Bengals lose their final two games to match that record, Cincinnati holds the tiebreaker thanks to a better division mark. So, the Browns are guaranteed to finish at the bottom of the division-for another year.
That reality shifts the focus in Cleveland to something fans know all too well: the NFL Draft. With two games left in the regular season, the Browns are staring down a potential top-two pick in the 2026 draft.
And yes, that likely means the search for a quarterback continues. Again.
But while the current season winds down, the future is already starting to take shape. The Browns' 2026 slate of opponents is nearly finalized, and it's a schedule that brings plenty of intrigue-especially at the quarterback position.
Browns 2026 Home Opponents
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Las Vegas Raiders
There are some potentially fascinating QB matchups looming at home. The Raiders could come to town with one of the top quarterbacks taken in the 2026 draft-possibly the same one Cleveland selects, depending on how the board shakes out.
The Colts, Falcons, and Steelers are all question marks under center heading into next season. Daniel Jones’ injury in Indy, Michael Penix’s struggles in Atlanta, and Aaron Rodgers’ retirement in Pittsburgh could all lead to new faces under center.
That’s a lot of uncertainty-and opportunity-for the Browns defense to take advantage of.
Browns 2026 Road Opponents
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
- New York Jets
The road schedule has some compelling wrinkles. Cleveland will make two trips to Florida-facing the Jaguars and Buccaneers-and will take on both New York teams (in New Jersey, of course).
One of the more notable storylines? A potential reunion with Baker Mayfield when the Browns face the Bucs.
That matchup will carry some emotional weight, especially for fans who still have strong feelings-one way or another-about the former No. 1 overall pick.
There’s also international intrigue. The Saints are reportedly set to host the first-ever NFL game in Paris next season.
If that game includes the Browns, it would mark back-to-back years with overseas travel for Cleveland. Nothing is official yet, but it’s something to keep an eye on.
And then there’s Jacksonville. That matchup has added meaning thanks to the 2025 draft-day trade that sent the Jaguars’ 2026 first-round pick to Cleveland. Depending on how both teams finish next year, that game could carry serious draft implications-or playoff ones, if either team takes a leap forward.
Looking Ahead
The Browns' full 2026 schedule-dates and times included-will be released shortly after Week 18 wraps up. But the list of opponents already gives us a good sense of the road ahead.
There’s a lot of uncertainty, especially at quarterback, not just for Cleveland but for several of their future opponents. That could mean a wide-open slate in 2026-if the Browns can finally find some stability under center.
For now, the focus remains on finishing the season strong, evaluating the roster, and preparing for what could be a franchise-shaping draft. Again.