The Cleveland Browns are heading into Week 1 with plenty of buzz around a young offense that could look a whole lot different than the one fans have grown used to.
The 2026 NFL regular season begins on Wednesday, yes, Wednesday, with a Thursday game in Australia. Cleveland opens against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the mood around the Browns right now is mixed: not much optimism for the immediate present, but a lot of curiosity about what comes next. That feeling has only grown after two strong draft classes from GM Andrew Berry gave the roster a much younger look.
A big reason for the excitement is the decision to use early picks on two receivers in the 2026 NFL draft. KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston have both made their presence felt in training camp and preseason, hitting on big plays and doing nothing to cool the anticipation around Cleveland’s offense.
Boston, in particular, has drawn a lot of attention. The second-round receiver has the size, speed, and hands to turn heads, and Tuesday brought another round of praise when The Athletic’s “NFL Future Hits List” put the Washington Huskies pass catcher at the top.
An AFC scout called him: “The definition of an NFL X receiver. A perfect complement with KC Concepcion.”
An NFC executive added: “Huge, talented, and makes it look easy when clean. Preseason best play certainly flashed of a better player than (only) a rebounder.”
The buzz around those two rookies only adds to what Cleveland already has brewing with last year’s rookie class. RB Quinshon Judkins and TE Harold Fannin Jr. both had great rookie seasons, and now the Browns are looking at a group of young playmakers that has fans wondering just how explosive this offense might become.
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Todd Monken's hiring as Browns head coach also adds another layer to the start of the season, especially after Cleveland interviewed Grant Udinski before making its choice. Jacksonville, meanwhile, has brought in names such as defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro and quarterback Quinn Ewers as it reshapes the roster for 2026. For Browns fans, the Week 1 trip is about more than just the scoreboard, because the Jaguars' progress will be part of the long conversation Cleveland is going to be having all season. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Fans Already Sound Fed Up With Deshaun Watson
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Monken addressed the subject in a radio interview, calling Watsons remarks about the fan reaction a minor issue and saying the two had already talked it through. For a coach trying to settle a quarterback situation and establish credibility in his first year on the job, even small flare-ups like this can matter, especially when the crowd has already made its feelings known. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Settle Key Week 1 Battles But One Decision Stands Out
The Browns first unofficial depth chart for Week 1 of the 2026 season cleared up a few of the biggest camp questions, and it did so in fairly straightforward fashion. Deshaun Watson is listed as the starting quarterback, with Shedeur Sanders slotted in as the primary backup and rookie Taylen Green third on the chart. Up front, Cleveland kept the offensive line where it had been projected, with Teven Jenkins at right guard and Austin Barber backing up the right tackle spot.
One of the more notable details came on special teams, where second-year receiver Isaiah Bond is the lone punt returner. First-round rookie KC Concepcion, meanwhile, does not appear on the special teams depth chart, a small but meaningful clue about how the Browns are dividing early-season responsibilities as the roster takes shape. [Read more 🡒]