Cleveland Browns have been given some good news about the 2026 season that isn’t being talked about enough

2025 gave the Cleveland Browns a tough schedule that they were able to handle. There’s good news on the 2026 schedule coming for the Browns.

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer
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Shedeur Sanders throws a pass at the Browns mini camp in Berea on April 21, 2026.

We’re past the 2026 NFL Draft and the rookie minicamp is this weekend for the Cleveland Browns. The Browns looked to have another really successful draft and they needed it coming off a five-win season. 

Cleveland played one of the hardest schedules in the NFL last season, but things are going to be much different in 2026. While the Browns have a lot to figure out at quarterback still, they’re going to have an easier road this year. 

The Browns have a much easier schedule ahead in 2026 

We don’t yet have the 2026 NFL schedule, but we will have it in May. Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis dropped his 2026 strength of schedule rankings, and the Browns come in at the fourth-easiest schedule in the NFL, trailing only the Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, and Detroit Lions.

Cleveland will play a fourth-place schedule in 2026 after finishing last in the AFC North last year. I like to use the Sharp rankings when evaluating strength of schedule because they’re based on Vegas’ projected win totals. Additionally, the rankings weigh what betting lines would be amongst the teams. 

The Browns will of course play each AFC North team twice this season. Cleveland will play the entirety of both the AFC South and NFC South in 2026, along with the New York Jets, New York Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders. 

Browns’ 2026 opponents 

Home

  •  Ravens 
  • Bengals 
  • Steelers 
  • Texans 
  • Colts 
  • Falcons 
  • Panthers 
  • Raiders 

Away 

  • Ravens 
  • Bengals 
  • Steelers 
  • Jaguars 
  • Saints 
  • Buccaneers 
  • Titans 
  • Giants 
  • Jets 

A much more favorite season is ahead for the Browns and the expectation will be for Todd Monken to take this team a step forward in his first NFL season as a head coach. Again, what the Browns are able to accomplish will ride on the success they can get out of the quarterback position. We know it’s going to be either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders getting the keys to the offense.

The Browns have the makings of an elite defense, but as we saw last year, the offense has to be capable. 

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