The NFL offseason has begun, and Yahoo Sports is previewing the coming months for all 32 teams, from free agency through the draft and more.
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Patriots | Jets
AFC North: Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers
AFC South: Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers
NFC East: Cowboys | Giants | Eagles | Commanders
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers
NFC West: Cardinals | Rams | 49ers | Seahawks
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2025 season record: 5-12, (o 4.5 wins), fourth in AFC North, missed playoffs, 31st in DVOA
Overview
This Browns’ season was never going to be about success in 2025. From roster moves to trades in the draft, Cleveland’s focus was on what comes next. Along the way, the Browns started two rookie quarterbacks who each played like the worst starter in the league and finished last in just about every offensive category. In some of those, last feels generous. The defense, though, was top five in DVOA, and Myles Garrett set the single-season sack record with his 23rd sack in the season finale.
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Cleveland seemingly hit on many of the non-quarterback 2025 draft picks — tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and linebacker Carson Schwesinger (Defensive Rookie of the Year) — while the Browns picked up a ton of future draft capital, entering the 2026 draft with two first-round picks.
Kevin Stefanski is out, and so is defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Todd Monken is in as head coach, but general manager Andrew Berry will stay on to oversee what the next era of the Browns might be.
Cap/cuts outlook
Cleveland has -$9 million in salary cap space, according to Over The Cap, which ranks 21st in the league. There is not likely to be a Deshaun Watson resolution this offseason. A post-June 1 cut would be a net zero at an $80 million cap hit, but it would add about $23 million to the 2027 cap. Cleveland could make that move now, with over $100 million in space projected for 2027, but without any of the contracts that will be added this offseason. During his end of season news conference, Berry said he anticipated Watson would remain on the roster.
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[Get more Browns news: Cleveland team feed]
Longtime tight end David Njoku announced he won’t return to the team in 2026, which means the Browns will absorb his entire $24 million cap hit this season due to the void years on his contract. There are similar contract situations to sort out for many of Cleveland’s free agents.
Key pending free agents
TE David Njoku
LB Devin Bush
OL Joel Bitonio
OL Wyatt Teller
OL Ethan Pocic
OL Cam Robinson
OL Jack Conklin
Njoku’s decision to hit free agency isn’t a surprise after he was targeted on only 17% of his routes and fell behind Fannin as the go-to tight end. Bush came alive and thrived in the middle next to Carson Schwesinger. Bush was 10th in yards allowed per coverage snap (min. 100) among linebackers and was third in the rate of tackles that produced a positive play for the defense.
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Most of Cleveland’s starting offensive line is scheduled to be free agents. This is a line that has dropped off in quality due to age and injuries, but we won’t expect the Browns to completely move on with four new starters and Dawand Jones, who went out for the season in Week 3.
Positional needs
Quarterback
Offensive line
Wide receiver
It’s time to overhaul the offense. Among 45 quarterbacks who threw at least 100 passes, Dillion Gabriel ranked 42nd in EPA per play. Shedeur Sanders was 43rd. Both had their faults and neither looked like the type of quarterback who could lift those around them — that was too high an expectation for a third- and fifth-round pick.
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Just for numbers, the Browns need help along the offensive line, depending on how many players they retain as free agents. The line was in the bottom third in pass block and run block win rates, per ESPN.
Wide receiver has been a bugaboo position for Andrew Berry in his GM tenure with the Browns. There have been a ton of draft misses betting on speed, while the trade plus extension for Jerry Jeudy has led to an underwhelming 1.41 yards per route run in his time with the Browns.
2026 NFL Draft picks
1st round, pick No. 6
1st round (JAX), pick No. 24
2nd round, pick No. 39
3rd round, pick No. 70
4th round
5th round
5th round (LV)
5th round (CIN)
6th round (CHI)
7th round (SEA)
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Good draft fit
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Barring packaging their other first-rounder and trying to move up for a quarterback, the Browns should address the offensive line. Fano played both left and right tackle in college, and while he can stand to add weight, he’s a good athlete who stays on his feet and is strong in the run game.
What could move the fantasy needle in 2026?
Fix the offensive line
The Browns hit on some young players in this most recent draft, including RB Quinshon Judkins and TE Harold Fannin Jr. Cleveland still needs a quarterback and a complete refresh of the wide receiver room. However, the offensive line has hit a breaking point due to age and expiring contracts. If that doesn’t get corrected in the offseason, I’m not sure what they add at those more marquee positions will move the needle much at all. That has to be top of mind for GM Andrew Berry, who was retained despite head coach Kevin Stefanski being shown the door. — Matt Harmon
Betting nugget
The Browns were one of the NFL’s best teams at home for bettors, cashing in six of eight home games this season. — Ben Fawkes
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