The Browns endured a painful 2025 campaign, finishing dead last in the AFC North with a 5–12 record.Cleveland leaned on tight, low-scoring defensive scraps to pull out occasional victories, but those moments were few and far between.
Their offense was inconsistent, but that should be expected considering they had three different quarterbacks.The team averaged a league-worst 16.4 points per game as passing inconsistencies, poor offensive line play, and a lack of rhythm derailed drives before they could start.
The inability to move the chains or protect the quarterback eventually brought an end to Stefanski's six-year run in Cleveland, setting off a massive winter teardown.JIM SCHWARTZ OPENS UP ABOUT MESSY BROWNS SPLIT AFTER BEING PASSED OVER FOR HEAD COACHING JOBCleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws a pass to tight end Carsen Ryan during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on Aug.22, 2026.
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)The headlining blockbuster occurred when Cleveland traded two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Rams for a haul that included pass rusher Jared Verse and draft capital.It actually was a good trade for the Browns, getting capital and a talented player to at least somewhat replace Garrett.Todd Monken talks with the media after being introduced as head coach of the Cleveland Browns during a press conference at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on Feb.
3, 2026 in Berea, Ohio.(Nick Cammett/Getty Images)BROWNS GENERAL MANAGER EXPLAINS WHY HE CHANGED HIS MIND ON TRADING MYLES GARRETT: 'OPPORTUNITY WAS TOO GREAT'To jump-start the rebuild under Monken, the Browns overhauled their roster through free agency and draft weekend.
They signed offensive line help in guard Zion Johnson and center Elgton Jenkins, added linebacker Quincy Williams and defensive tackle Kalia Davis, and stacked the offense with young skill talent like wide receiver Isaiah Bond and dynamic college runn...