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Browns' 2026 schedule: Week 11 bye, Baltimore opener, Rutenberg-led defense

5/16/2026

47 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Browns Bye Week

The Cleveland Browns have a Week 11 bye in the 2026 NFL season.
They open Week 6 at Baltimore, whose new head coach is Jesse Minter.
Cleveland hosts the Texans on Nov. 15, then after the bye hosts the Raiders on Nov. 29, the Bengals on Dec. 6, and the Falcons on Dec. 13.
The Browns finish the regular season on the road at the Bengals in Week 18 with defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg leading the defense.

Summary

Browns Quarterback Battle

Todd Monken, former Ravens offensive coordinator, will face Baltimore on Oct. 18 at home and Dec. 27 away.
Kevin Stefanski, former Browns coach now Atlanta head coach, returns to Cleveland on Dec. 13 for revenge.
Mike Rutenberg, former Falcons defensive coordinator, will lead Cleveland’s defense against Atlanta in Week 14.
The Browns’ quarterback battle pits Deshaun Watson against Shedeur Sanders, with the Week 1 starter undecided.

Summary

Browns Offseason Upgrade

GM Andrew Berry pursued offensive-line upgrades in the 2026 offseason through free-agency signings and draft picks.
The team added veteran wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to inject speed into the receiving corps.
Cleveland retained Myles Garrett as a defensive anchor while filling lingering roster holes before winter.
The mix of veteran leadership and hungry young talent is meant to push the Browns past a five-win baseline and into playoff contention.

History

Historical Context

In 1995 Art Modell moved the Browns to Baltimore, creating the Ravens and leaving Cleveland team-less. A 1996 compromise kept the Browns’ name and history in trust and required a return by the 1999 season. Al Lerner secured the expansion franchise in September 1998, and the new Browns built their roster in the February 9 1999 expansion draft, selecting from 150 unprotected players and using the first overall pick.

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Browns Bye Week

The Cleveland Browns have a Week 11 bye in the 2026 NFL season.
They open Week 6 at Baltimore, whose new head coach is Jesse Minter.
Cleveland hosts the Texans on Nov. 15, then after the bye hosts the Raiders on Nov. 29, the Bengals on Dec. 6, and the Falcons on Dec. 13.
The Browns finish the regular season on the road at the Bengals in Week 18 with defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg leading the defense.

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