The Browns went into the offseason knowing the linebacker room was thin. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s career-threatening injury had already changed the equation, and by the time Devin Bush headed to the Windy City, Cleveland was left looking for answers. Reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger was the one steady piece, and the Browns bet on Quincy Williams as Bush’s replacement when they brought in Mike Rutenberg as defensive coordinator.
That move made sense on paper. Williams had played his best football when Rutenberg was with the Jets as linebackers coach. Two games in, though, the fit has looked far shakier than anyone in Cleveland probably wanted.
Williams’ debut against the Jaguars was rough enough to stand out in a game where almost everything went wrong. At one point, he froze for nearly three seconds after the snap before reacting to a pass play, a sequence that drew plenty of attention for all the wrong reasons.
In all the years of watching football film this is a first from a LB in coverage. Zero movement for the first 2s. That's a choice from Quincy Williams (#5) pic.twitter.com/ipKErUGBDn
- Browns Film Breakdown (@BrownsFilmBDN) September 15, 2026
That was just one snap, but it fit the broader picture. Williams struggled badly in coverage in Week 1, and Pro Football Focus handed him a 29.9 grade, which ranked as the third-worst mark among linebackers that week.
There was improvement in the win over the Buccaneers, but only relative improvement. Williams finished with five tackles and three pressures, yet he also missed two tackles and allowed three catches on four targets for 23 yards. That pushed him to three missed tackles on the season already.
For now, Cleveland does not have many alternatives. Williams knows Rutenberg’s system, and the Browns don’t exactly have a deep bench of replacement options waiting behind him.
Even with the Week 2 step forward, the bigger picture around this defense is still unsettled. Cleveland was better against Tampa Bay, but the Browns were also one Baker Mayfield connection away from starting 0-2, which would have changed the entire conversation around this team.
Next up is Carolina in the home opener, and Williams could be busy again. The Panthers bring a tricky group of skill players, led by running back Chubba Hubbard and wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Cleveland will need to pay close attention to Coker, especially after struggling to handle slot receivers early in the season.
In Other News...
Browns Home Opener Suddenly Looks Like A Bigger Test Than Expected
The Browns home opener is coming into focus with Carolina looking far less like a soft landing than it did a week ago. The Panthers picked up their first win of the season by beating the Falcons, and Bryce Youngs play has started to trend in the right direction after an uneven start. Add in the way linebacker Devin Lloyd has helped stabilize Carolinas defense, and the matchup carries a little more substance than the usual early-season check-in.
Cleveland still gets the advantage of playing at home, but this is the kind of game that can tell you a bit more about both teams than the record might suggest. Carolinas season-long question is still consistency on defense, and that remains the area the Browns will be watching closely. If the Panthers can keep building on what worked against Atlanta, the opener could end up feeling more like a test than a tune-up. [Read more 🡒]
Andre Szmyt Is Giving Browns Fans A Rare Reason To Brag
Andre Szmyt has given Browns fans something they do not often get to enjoy this time of year: confidence in the kicker. Through the early part of the 2026 season, he has been perfect on his attempts, and that consistency has already earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors twice. Since Week 1 last season, he has gone 27 of 29 on field goals, with a clean mark from 40 yards and in.
For a team that has spent plenty of time searching for stability in the kicking game, Szmyts start has stood out as more than a hot streak. Browns special teams coordinator Byron Storer has praised his hard work and dedication, the kind of behind-the-scenes detail that usually only gets noticed when the results show up on Sundays. Right now, the results have been hard to miss, and the bigger question is how long this run can keep going. [Read more 🡒]
Browns May Soon Face A Tough Young Quarterback Trade Decision
The quarterback market can shift fast this time of year, and the Giants situation may have created another opening for Cleveland to weigh. With Jaxson Dart dealing with an injury and New York expected to look for help, the Browns suddenly sit in a familiar spot for a team that has stocked up on young passers and may have to sort out who fits long term and who could be used to address other needs.
Dillon Gabriel, currently on injured reserve, is one name that could draw interest, and Shedeur Sanders is another after already being tied to the Giants in draft buzz. Cleveland does not need to rush into anything, but the front office could listen if a deal brings back enough value in picks or players to justify moving one of the quarterbacks and reshaping the room again. [Read more 🡒]