NFL made a major statement with one key detail on the Cleveland Browns’ 2026 schedule, and it was easy to see coming

We have the 2026 NFL schedule for the Cleveland Browns and now know what it looks like. The NFL made one clear point with the Browns this season.

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
May 8, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion (17) goes for a catch during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

We have the Cleveland Browns’ 2026 schedule and it’s going to be an interesting road for the team in Northeast Ohio. Cleveland will be playing under first-year head coach Todd Monken and it looks like it’ll be either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders starting in Week 1. 

Cleveland has a favorable road to be able to pass the 5-12 record they had last season. The Browns have the second-easiest schedule in the NFL in 2026, per Sharp Football. There is one thing sticking out with the Browns’ 2026 schedule with what the league decided for Cleveland.

Browns’ 2026 schedule

  • Week 1: Sep. 13 @ Jaguars (1 PM, CBS)
  • Week 2: Sep. 20 @ Buccaneers (1 PM, CBS)
  • Week 3: Sep. 27 vs Panthers (1 PM, FOX)
  • Week 4: Oct. 1 vs Steelers (8:15 PM, Prime Video)
  • Week 5: Oct. 11 @ Jets (1 PM, CBS)
  • Week 6: Oct. 18 vs Ravens (1 PM, FOX)
  • Week 7: Oct. 25 @ Titans (1 PM, CBS)
  • Week 8: Nov. 1 @ Steelers (1 PM, CBS)
  • Week 9: Nov. 8 @ Saints (1 PM, CBS)
  • Week 10: Nov. 15 vs Texans (1 PM, FOX)
  • Week 11: BYE
  • Week 12: Nov. 29 vs Raiders (1 PM, FOX)
  • Week 13: Dec. 6 vs Bengals (1 PM, CBS)
  • Week 14: Dec. 13 vs Falcons (1 PM, CBS)
  • Week 15: Dec. 20 @ Giants (1 PM, CBS)
  • Week 16: Dec. 27 @ Ravens (1 PM, CBS)
  • Week 17: Jan. 3 vs Colts (1 PM, FOX)
  • Week 18: TBD @ Bengals (TBD, TBD)

Browns are a 1 o’clock team in 2026, says the NFL

If you’re a fan of the 1 p.m. ET kickoffs that end around 4 p.m. with the evening free, you’re in luck. Cleveland’s schedule gives them 15 1 p.m. kicks. Their Week 4 Thursday Night Football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Week 18 game against the Cincinnati Bengals are the only two games not to be played in the early window. 

Cleveland has just the one primetime game and it’ll be a home AFC North battle against the Steelers. It’ll likely be Aaron Rodgers for the Steelers at quarterback barring a surprise. It’s clear the NFL made it a point to keep the Browns out of the spotlight, which is totally fair. 

The Browns had the worst offense in the NFL last season and won just five games. Monken is a first-year head coach for Cleveland and it’s fair to have doubts about them being much better in 2026. The Browns can win some games early and stack good weeks together to potentially get flexed into a better time slot later in the year, but that’s easier said than done. 

A good part of the fanbase is used to and likes the early kickoffs. Personally, I don’t have an opinion on them either way. The NFL has clear doubts about the Browns being a very good product in 2026 and they made their schedule to fit the doubt. 

Related Articles