Browns' offense doesn't need much to return to the playoffs in 2026

The last two seasons in Cleveland have been two of the more frustrating in what has been a decade of very little success.

2023 was a magical year in which Joe Flacco took a team that just needed an offensive spark to the playoffs by just having a pulse on that side of the ball. One of the league's top defenses finally got some support, and the result was a magical seven-week run that launched the Browns into the playoffs and made the future look very positive.

Instead of leaning into the Flacco experience, Cleveland pivoted and put all of their eggs back into the Deshaun Watson basket. Just as it has always been, they were left disappointed in 2024 and into 2025 with less than optimal quarterback play from the guy who is making the most money on the Browns' roster.

The 2024 and 2025 Browns were a team that was basically one side of the ball. The defense in both seasons was at the top of the league. They were the fourth-ranked group in 2025 while being the 19th-ranked unit in 2024.

Quarterbacks Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel practice together at the Browns mini camp in Berea on April 21, 2026.

As Cleveland turns its attention to the 2026 season, a main focus of this offseason was a total makeover on the offensive side of the ball. There will be five new offensive linemen for the Browns, two new receivers, at least one new tight end, but there will be an incumbent in the quarterback room.

Whether it is Watson or Shedeur Sanders, they will no longer have the excuse of not having weapons this year. There will be no excuses to be had; there just needs to be decent quarterback play.

The Browns don't need to be a top-5 offense in the league; they don't need to be top-10 or top-15; they just need to be competent on that side of the ball. They need to possess the football, not turn it over, and finish their drives by scoring with it.

Last season, gave up an average of 22.3 points per game, which is actually a pretty high number. However, that is weighted heavily with five games over 30 points and one over 40. Of their 12 losses, if they had scored just 24 points per game, they would have had a 10-7 record in 2025 and would have won the AFC North.