Now that the Browns have concluded one of their best drafts, I thought I would review where the team stands as of today.
First the draft. I hope everyone gets a chance to watch “The Pick Is In” an ESPN documentary about the 2026 draft, with the Browns featured prominently. The inside look at the Browns draft room is amazing. All I can say is calm, cool & collected. I’m so glad the Browns didn’t take the Cowboy’s low offer. Great job Andrew.
Salary cap. According to “Over The Cap” the Browns are currently around $23.5 million under the cap. Over the weekend it was reported the Browns were redoing the contract of OT Dawand Jones. Basically, the team moved his “Proven Performance Escalators” to upfront cash. These escalators are money Jones could earn, but instead he gets the money now. This does two things, better cap situation for the Browns and no consequences if Jones is cut. I expect the Browns to do the same thing for two other players, DE Isaiah McGuire and WR Cedric Tillman. All three of these players have under preformed or have been injury prone. All three are in the last year of their contracts and replacements were found in the draft or UDFA signings.
Off-season dates. Rookie training camp May 8-10, OTA’s May 19-21, June 2-5, Mandatory minicamp June 9-11. After that it’s Training camp in July.
2026 opponents. Just a reminder the official NFL schedule comes out this month. Usually, it’s the second or third week in May. The Browns will host Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Houston, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Carolina and Las Vegas. The Browns travel to Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Tampa, Nashville, New York Giants and Jets. The Saints are playing in Paris this year and the rumor is it will be October 25, week seven. Could the league send the Browns overseas in back-to-back years? Yes, they could.
Stay safe and Go Browns.