The Cleveland Browns may have finished the 2025 season on a sour note, but there’s a sense around the league that this team is far from done making noise. With a defense that still ranks among the most formidable in football, a promising crop of young talent from last year’s draft, and some serious offseason capital to work with, the Browns are positioned to turn the page-and maybe even make a little history along the way.
That history? It could come on an international stage.
According to a report from RMC Sport, one of France’s most prominent sports outlets, the Browns are set to face off against the New Orleans Saints in Paris on October 25, 2026. If confirmed, it would mark the first NFL game ever played in France, with the iconic Stade de France in Paris reportedly set to host.
While the NFL has yet to make anything official-and the Browns themselves say they haven’t been informed of the matchup-this report is gaining traction. RMC Sport claims the game is locked in after “months of negotiations,” and if true, it would be another major step in the league’s ongoing international expansion.
Let’s be clear: this wouldn’t just be a novelty game for the league’s global footprint. On the field, Browns vs.
Saints in 2026 could be a fascinating clash of styles. Cleveland’s defense, which remained one of the league’s most dominant units in 2025, would be tasked with slowing down a Saints offense that’s in the midst of a retool.
That’s a matchup that could give us some real insight into where both franchises are headed.
And don’t sleep on the 2025 draft class in this equation. Both the Browns and Saints walked away from last year’s draft with groups that turned heads, and those players will be stepping into bigger roles in their second seasons. If those young stars continue trending upward, this international showdown could feature more than just a unique setting-it could be a statement game for two teams trying to climb back into serious contention.
Of course, until the NFL stamps this game as official, it remains a well-sourced rumor. But when a major outlet with boots on the ground in France is reporting a deal is done, it’s the kind of thing that deserves attention.
For now, the Browns are staying quiet. According to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, the team hasn’t heard anything from the league about a Paris game being added to their 2026 schedule. That doesn’t mean it’s not happening-but it does mean we’ll have to wait a bit longer for official word.
Still, if this report holds up, Browns vs. Saints in Paris could be one of the more intriguing storylines on the 2026 NFL calendar.
A historic venue, two teams with rising young cores, and a chance to showcase the game on a new stage? That’s the kind of matchup that could turn a regular season game into something much bigger.