RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesThe Cleveland Browns are just a few years removed from reaching some of their peak football in recent memory, two playoff appearances in 2020 and 2023. But now, the architect of that success, Kevin Stefanski, is gone after back-to-back losing seasons.
The Browns will welcome Todd Monken as head coach, and he will have a mighty task in front of him. The Browns are coming off a 5-12 season and have spent many years at the bottom of the league over the past few decades. So with new leadership in charge, what is the ceiling (and the floor) for the Browns in 2026?
Ceiling: 8-9
The Browns will need Deshaun Watson, who will be healthy again after missing the past season due to injury, to play as he did at the peak of his career for this to happen. The rest of the talent on the team isn't great, particularly after Myles Garrett was traded, but with Watson playing at his best, they can probably pick up a few wins in the AFC North and be an average team.
Floor: 3-14
Cleveland hasn't historically found much success on the gridiron, and if Deshaun Watson is past his prime and Shedeur Sanders doesn't take a step forward, the situation could be bleak. And there's no guarantee Todd Monken is ready for this role. It isn't far-fetched that the Browns could once again be at the bottom of the NFL.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: What is the ceiling (and floor) for the Cleveland Browns in 2026?
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