Browns Blown Out by Bears, Draft Picture Comes Into Focus
Week 15 was supposed to be a chance for the Cleveland Browns to build momentum-a step forward for rookie QB Shedeur Sanders, another dominant outing from Myles Garrett, and maybe even a little help in the 2026 NFL Draft order. Instead, the Browns walked away from Sunday with more questions than answers after a lopsided loss to the Chicago Bears.
Let’s start with Sanders. After a promising Week 14 showing, expectations were understandably high.
But the rookie signal-caller struggled to find rhythm against a Bears defense that came ready to play. Whether it was pressure, timing, or just a tough day at the office, Sanders couldn’t replicate the poise and production he showed a week earlier.
And while fans are already debating his long-term potential, the only opinion that truly matters is the one inside the Browns’ front office-especially with Cleveland currently holding a top-five pick in a quarterback-heavy 2026 draft class.
On the defensive side, Myles Garrett continued his relentless pursuit of the NFL’s single-season sack record, adding 1.5 sacks to his total. It’s a solid outing by most standards, but given the pace Garrett was on earlier this season, it felt like a quieter afternoon. Still, he's very much in the mix for the record and remains one of the league’s most disruptive forces.
Cleveland’s loss dropped them to 3-11, keeping them locked into the fourth overall spot in the current draft order heading into Week 16. That’s notable, especially with the three teams ahead of them-the Giants, Raiders, and Titans-all still within reach in the standings. But for now, the Browns sit just outside the top three, and their draft fate could hinge on how the final three weeks unfold.
Adding another layer to the draft picture: the Browns also hold a second first-round pick via the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the Jags improving to 10-4, that pick is trending toward the back half of the round. How deep it falls will depend largely on Jacksonville’s playoff run.
Here’s where things stand in the updated 2026 NFL Draft order (as of Sunday night, before SNF):
- New York Giants (2-12)
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Tennessee Titans
- Cleveland Browns (3-11)
- New York Jets
- Arizona Cardinals
- New Orleans Saints (4-10)
- Washington Commanders
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Atlanta Falcons (pick goes to the Rams)
...
Late first round:
- Jacksonville Jaguars' pick (goes to the Browns)
Cleveland’s remaining schedule doesn’t offer any favors. They’ll close out the year with matchups against the Bills and Steelers-both playoff-bound-as well as the Bengals, who have four wins but are still fighting. That’s a tough stretch, and it could significantly impact the Browns’ strength of schedule, a key tiebreaker in draft positioning.
There’s also some movement to watch around the league that could shake up the top of the draft. The Giants and Raiders face off in Week 17, and the Titans and Saints will square off that same weekend.
Meanwhile, both Las Vegas and Tennessee still have to face Kansas City, who may be without Patrick Mahomes after a knee injury late in Week 15. That could open the door for more losses in those camps.
Put it all together, and the Browns’ path to the No. 1 overall pick is still alive-if they lose out. It’s not the way anyone in Cleveland wanted to be talking about December football, but with a potential franchise quarterback on the board in 2026, these next three weeks could shape the next decade of Browns football.
Whether Shedeur Sanders is the future or just the present, the Browns are now staring down a pivotal stretch-on the field and in the front office.