2025 Cleveland Browns season
77th season in franchise history
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2025 season was the Cleveland Browns' 73rd as a member of the National Football League (NFL), their 77th overall, their sixth under general manager Andrew Berry, and their sixth and final under head coach Kevin Stefanski. The Browns improved on their 3–14 record from the previous season. However, they clinched their second consecutive losing season and 16th in 18 years, and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second straight year.
| 2025 Cleveland Browns season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Jimmy Haslam |
| General manager | Andrew Berry |
| Head coach | Kevin Stefanski |
| Home stadium | Huntington Bank Field |
| Results | |
| Record | 5–12 |
| Division place | 4th AFC North |
| Playoffs | Did not qualify |
| All-Pros | DE Myles Garrett (1st team) |
| Pro Bowlers | DE Myles Garrett CB Denzel Ward QB Shedeur Sanders |
| Uniform | |
 | |
Myles Garrett set the record for most sacks in a season, with 23. The previous record of 22.5 was shared by Michael Strahan and T. J. Watt.
On January 5, 2026, one day after the end of the season, Stefanski was fired by the Browns after six seasons with the team.[1]
The Cleveland Browns drew an average home attendance of 67,431, the 19th-highest of all NFL teams.[2]
Offseason
Staff changes
On January 5, one day after the 2024 season ended, the Browns fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and offensive line coach Andy Dickerson, both after one season with the team.[3]
On January 8, the Browns hired former Rice University head coach Mike Bloomgren as their new offensive line coach.[4]
On January 14, the Browns promoted tight ends coach and passing game specialist Tommy Rees to offensive coordinator to replace Dorsey.[5]
Roster changes
Free agents
| 2025 Cleveland Browns Free Agents | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Player | Tag | 2025 Team | Signed |
| OT | Hakeem Adeniji | UFA | Dallas Cowboys | April 18[6] |
| TE | Jordan Akins | UFA | ||
| S | D'Anthony Bell | RFA | Seattle Seahawks | March 22 |
| CB | Tony Brown | UFA | Cleveland Browns | March 20[7] |
| LB | Devin Bush Jr. | UFA | Cleveland Browns | March 12[8] |
| OT | Geron Christian | UFA | Dallas Cowboys | August 2[9] |
| RB | Nick Chubb | UFA | Houston Texans | June 9[10][11] |
| G | Michael Dunn | UFA | San Francisco 49ers | August 20[12] |
| DT | Michael Dwumfour | ERFA | San Francisco 49ers | August 7[13] |
| CB | Mike Ford | UFA | Atlanta Falcons | March 17[14] |
| RB | D'Onta Foreman | UFA | ||
| C | Nick Harris | UFA | Washington Commanders | August 22[15] |
| DE | James Houston | RFA | Dallas Cowboys | July 22[16] |
| OT | James Hudson | UFA | New York Giants | March 12[17] |
| LS | Charley Hughlett | Release[18] | Philadelphia Eagles | March 14[19] |
| DT | Maurice Hurst Jr. | UFA | ||
| OT | Germain Ifedi | UFA | Miami Dolphins | August 3[20] |
| RB | John Kelly | ERFA | ||
| WR | Elijah Moore | UFA | Buffalo Bills | April 30 |
| WR | James Proche | UFA | Tennessee Titans | March 26[21] |
| TE | Geoff Swaim | UFA | ||
| S | Juan Thornhill | Release[22] | Pittsburgh Steelers | March 17 |
| DT | Dalvin Tomlinson | Release[23] | Arizona Cardinals | March 12[24] |
| OT | Jedrick Wills | UFA | ||
| QB | Jameis Winston | UFA | New York Giants | March 21[25] |
| QB | Bailey Zappe | RFA | Kansas City Chiefs | March 17[26] |
Signings
| 2025 Cleveland Browns Free Agents | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Player | 2024 Team | Signed |
| LB | Jerome Baker | Tennessee Titans | March 24[27][28] |
| WR | DeAndre Carter | Chicago Bears | March 19[29] |
| DT | Maliek Collins | San Francisco 49ers | March 12[30] |
| QB | Joe Flacco | Indianapolis Colts | April 11[31] |
| G | Teven Jenkins | Chicago Bears | March 20[7] |
| WR | Diontae Johnson | Baltimore Ravens | April 28[32] |
| OT | Cornelius Lucas | Washington Commanders | March 12[33] |
| DE | Julian Okwara | Arizona Cardinals | April 14[34] |
| DE | Joe Tryon-Shoyinka | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | March 12[35] |
Trades
| 2025 Cleveland Browns Offseason Trades | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Team | Player(s)/Asset(s) Received | Player(s)/Asset(s) Traded |
| March 12 | Philadelphia Eagles | QB Kenny Pickett | QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson 2025 5th round selection |
| August 20 | New York Jets | 2026 6th round selection | DT Jowon Briggs 2026 7th round selection |
| August 25 | Las Vegas Raiders | 2026 5th round selection | QB Kenny Pickett |
| August 26 | Los Angeles Rams | T KT Leveston | 2028 7th round selection |
Draft
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars[A] | |||
| 5 | Mason Graham | DT | Michigan | From Jaguars[A] | |
| 2 | 33 | Carson Schwesinger | LB | UCLA | |
| 36 | Quinshon Judkins | RB | Ohio State | From Jaguars[A] | |
| 3 | 67 | Harold Fannin Jr. | TE | Bowling Green | |
| 94 | Dillon Gabriel | QB | Oregon | From Bills[B] | |
| 4 | 104 | Traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars[A] | |||
| 126 | Dylan Sampson | RB | Tennessee | From Vikings via Jaguars[A] | |
| 5 | 139 | Traded to the Minnesota Vikings[C] | |||
| 144 | Shedeur Sanders | QB | Colorado | From Patriots via Seahawks | |
| 164 | Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles[D] | From Lions[E] | |||
| 166 | Traded to the Seattle Seahawks | From Texans[F] | |||
| 6 | 179 | Traded to the Houston Texans[F] | |||
| 192 | Traded to the Seattle Seahawks | From Dolphins via Bears[G] | |||
| 200 | Traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars[A] | From Vikings[C] | |||
| 204 | Traded to the Buffalo Bills[B] | From Lions[H] | |||
| 216 | Traded to the Houston Texans[F] | Compensatory selection | |||
| 7 | 218 | Traded to the Los Angeles Chargers[I] | |||
| 240 | Traded to the Chicago Bears[G] | From Vikings[C] | |||
| 255 | Traded to the Houston Texans[F] | Compensatory selection | |||
| Name | Position | College | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adin Huntington | DE | Tulane | [44] |
| Jason Ivey | OT | North Carolina A&T | |
| LaMareon James | CB | TCU | |
| Dom Jones | CB | Colorado State | |
| Gage Larvadain | WR | South Carolina | |
| Ahmani Marshall | RB | Appalachian State | |
| Easton Mascarenas-Arnold | LB | USC | |
| Brent Matiscik | LS | TCU | |
| Donovan McMillon | S | Pittsburgh | |
| Justin Osborne | C | SMU | |
| Ja'Seem Reed | WR | San Diego | |
| Dartanyan Tinsley | G | Cincinnati | |
| Eli Wilson | FB | Appalachian State | |
| Luke Floriea | WR | Kent State | [45] |
| Kisean Johnson | WR | Western Kentucky | |
| Cade McDonald | WR | Miami (OH) | |
| Winston Wright Jr. | WR | East Carolina | [46] |
Draft trades
- The Browns traded a sixth-round selection (204th overall) and WR Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a third-round selection (94th overall) and a 2026 seventh-round selection.[37]
- The Browns traded a fifth-round selection (139th overall) and a 2024 fifth-round selection to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for sixth- and seventh-round selections (200th and 240th overall), and DE Za'Darius Smith.[38]
- The Browns traded a fifth-round selection (164th overall) and QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson to the Eagles in exchange for QB Kenny Pickett.
- The Browns traded a seventh-round selection (240th overall) and DT Chris Williams to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a sixth-round selection (192nd overall).[41]
- The Browns traded WR Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a sixth-round selection (204th overall).[42]
- The Browns traded a seventh-round selection (218th overall) to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for K Dustin Hopkins.[43]
Staff
|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Final roster
Preseason
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 8 | at Carolina Panthers | W 30–10 | 1–0 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | August 16 | at Philadelphia Eagles | W 22–13 | 2–0 | Lincoln Financial Field | Recap |
| 3 | August 23 | Los Angeles Rams | W 19–17 | 3–0 | Huntington Bank Field | Recap |
Game summaries
Preseason Week 1: at Carolina Panthers
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 0 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 30 |
| Panthers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: August 8
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 78 °F (26 °C)
- Game attendance: 71,205
- Referee: Clay Martin
- TV announcers (WEWS): Chris Rose, Joe Thomas and Aditi Kinkhabwala
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Preseason Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 6 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 22 |
| Eagles | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Date: August 16
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 84 °F (29 °C)
- Game attendance: 69,879
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (WEWS): Chris Rose, Joe Thomas and Aditi Kinkhabwala
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Preseason Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 0 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
| Browns | 7 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 19 |
at Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: August 23
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 76 °F (24 °C)
- Game attendance: 69,035
- Referee: Brad Allen
- TV announcers (WEWS): Chris Rose, Joe Thomas and Aditi Kinkhabwala
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Regular season
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 7 | Cincinnati Bengals | L 16–17 | 0–1 | Huntington Bank Field | Recap |
| 2 | September 14 | at Baltimore Ravens | L 17–41 | 0–2 | M&T Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | September 21 | Green Bay Packers | W 13–10 | 1–2 | Huntington Bank Field | Recap |
| 4 | September 28 | at Detroit Lions | L 10–34 | 1–3 | Ford Field | Recap |
| 5 | October 5 | Minnesota Vikings | L 17–21 | 1–4 |  Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London) |
Recap |
| 6 | October 12 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 9–23 | 1–5 | Acrisure Stadium | Recap |
| 7 | October 19 | Miami Dolphins | W 31–6 | 2–5 | Huntington Bank Field | Recap |
| 8 | October 26 | at New England Patriots | L 13–32 | 2–6 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 9 | Bye | |||||
| 10 | November 9 | at New York Jets | L 20–27 | 2–7 | MetLife Stadium | Recap |
| 11 | November 16 | Baltimore Ravens | L 16–23 | 2–8 | Huntington Bank Field | Recap |
| 12 | November 23 | at Las Vegas Raiders | W 24–10 | 3–8 | Allegiant Stadium | Recap |
| 13 | November 30 | San Francisco 49ers | L 8–26 | 3–9 | Huntington Bank Field | Recap |
| 14 | December 7 | Tennessee Titans | L 29–31 | 3–10 | Huntington Bank Field | Recap |
| 15 | December 14 | at Chicago Bears | L 3–31 | 3–11 | Soldier Field | Recap |
| 16 | December 21 | Buffalo Bills | L 20–23 | 3–12 | Huntington Bank Field | Recap |
| 17 | December 28 | Pittsburgh Steelers | W 13–6 | 4–12 | Huntington Bank Field | Recap |
| 18 | January 4 | at Cincinnati Bengals | W 20–18 | 5–12 | Paycor Stadium | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Browns | 0 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
at Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: September 7
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 63 °F (17 °C)
- Game attendance: 65,599
- Referee: Adrian Hill
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston and Allison Williams
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Despite holding the Bengals to 2 net yards in the second half, the Browns lost the game and started the season at 0–1.
Week 2: at Baltimore Ravens
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| Ravens | 3 | 7 | 10 | 21 | 41 |
at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
- Date: September 14
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Clear, 82 °F (28 °C)
- Game attendance: 70,487
- Referee: Brad Allen
- TV announcers (CBS): Tom McCarthy, Ross Tucker and Amanda Balionis
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Browns traveled to Baltimore for a battle with the division rival Baltimore Ravens. This also marked the return to Baltimore for Browns quarterback Joe Flacco, who spent eleven seasons with the Ravens. Baltimore took a 10–0 lead with a Tyler Loop field goal and a Lamar Jackson touchdown pass to Tylan Wallace. The Browns cut the lead to 10–3 late in the first half on an Andre Smyzt field goal.
Baltimore scored the first ten points in the third quarter on another Loop field goal and a Jackson touchdown pass to Devontez Walker to extend their lead to 20–3. The Browns made it 20–10 on a Flacco touchdown pass to Cedric Tillman. The Ravens scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to take control of the game with a 41–10 lead. The Browns scored on late touchdown pass from Dillon Gabriel to Dylan Sampson – the first career touchdown for each player – to make the final score 41–17.
With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–2.
Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Browns | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 13 |
at Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: September 21
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 79 °F (26 °C)
- Game attendance: 65,470
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston and Allison Williams
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Browns returned home still in search of their first win, to take on the Green Bay Packers. Defense reigned on both sides throughout the first half as the only points were on a Brandon McManus field goal for Green Bay, who took a 3–0 lead into halftime. Green Bay added a Jordan Love touchdown pass to John FitzPatrick in the third quarter to extend its lead to 10–0.
Cleveland scored its first points of the game with under four minutes remaining on an Andre Szmyt field goal. Green Bay's next drive ended quickly when Grant Delpit intercepted a Love pass and returned it to the Green Bay 4-yard line. Two plays later, Quinshon Judkins scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 10–10. Green Bay lined up for a go-ahead field goal with 27 seconds remaining, but McManus' kick was blocked by Shelby Harris. Cleveland promptly drove into field goal range, and Szmyt converted a 55-yard field goal as time expired to give the Browns a 13–10 win.
With the win, the Browns improved to 1–2 and ended an 8–game losing streak which started in Week 13 of the previous season.[47] Szmyt was named AFC Special Teams player of the week.[48]
Week 4: at Detroit Lions
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Lions | 7 | 13 | 0 | 14 | 34 |
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
- Date: September 28
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,494
- Referee: Shawn Smith
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Megan Olivi
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Browns traveled to Detroit hoping to build upon their first win of the season. The Browns struck first on a Quinshon Judkins touchdown run to take a 7–0 lead, but Detroit tied the game on their next drive on a Jahmyr Gibbs touchdown run. Detroit dominated the game from that point, taking advantage of three turnovers by Joe Flacco and returning a punt for a touchdown, en route to the dominating 34–10 win. This was the Browns' final game with Joe Flacco as the team's starting quarterback; he left to go to the Bengals.
With the loss, the Browns fell to 1–3.
Week 5: vs. Minnesota Vikings
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Browns | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, United Kingdom
- Date: October 5
- Game time: 2:30 p.m. BST/9:30 a.m. EDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 61 °F (16 °C)
- Game attendance: 61,082
- Referee: Scott Novak
- TV announcers (WEWS/NFLN): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Sara Walsh
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Browns traveled to London to face the Minnesota Vikings as part of the NFL International Series. Heading into the matchup, starting quarterback Joe Flacco was benched and second-string quarterback Dillon Gabriel was named the starter, the team’s 41st starting quarterback since 1999. Gabriel passed for 190 yards and two touchdowns to give the Browns a 17–14 lead late in the fourth quarter.
The Browns gained possession with 3:21 remaining in the game, but were unable to move the ball being forced to punt and only taking 16 seconds off the clock. Minnesota drove 80 yards in the final minutes, with quarterback Carson Wentz completing all 9 of his passes including the game-winning touchdown to Jordan Addison with 25 seconds remaining to make the final score 21–17.
With the loss, Browns fell to 1–4. Going back to last season, this was the tenth straight game in which the Browns scored 17 or fewer points, tying a franchise record previously set in 1975. The Browns also became the first team since the 2000–2001 Arizona Cardinals to have such a streak.[49]
Following the game, the Browns traded Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals.[50]
Week 6: at Pittsburgh Steelers
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Steelers | 3 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 23 |
at Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Date: October 12
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 64 °F (18 °C)
- Game attendance: 66,738
- Referee: Ron Torbert
- TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, J. J. Watt and Evan Washburn
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Browns returned stateside for a Week 6 trip to Pittsburgh against the rival Steelers. Defense dominated the first half as neither team found the end zone. Pittsburgh took a 9–0 lead on a trio of Chris Boswell field goals, before Andre Szmyt connected on a field goal of his own to cut the Steelers' lead to 9–3 at halftime.
Pittsburgh scored the game's first touchdown in the middle of the third quarter on an Aaron Rodgers pass to Connor Heyward to take a 16–3 lead. Cleveland responded with a Szmyt field goal to make the score 16–6. The fourth quarter saw another Rodgers touchdown pass, this time to DK Metcalf, and another Szmyt field goal, to make the final score 23–9.
With the loss, the Browns fell to 1–5. It marked the team’s 22nd consecutive regular season loss in Pittsburgh. The Browns also set a franchise record 11th consecutive game scoring 17 or less points, surpassing the previous record set in 1975.[51]
Week 7: vs. Miami Dolphins
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Browns | 3 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
at Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: October 19
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Rain, 65 °F (18 °C)
- Game attendance: 63,762
- Referee: Shawn Hochuli
- TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta and Aditi Kinkhabwala
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Browns returned home on a rainy, windy afternoon to face the Miami Dolphins, hoping to end their losing streak at three games. After both teams kicked field goals early in the game, the Browns took a 10–3 lead on a 46-yard touchdown run by Quinshon Judkins. Miami fumbled the ensuing kickoff, setting up Cleveland with a short field; the Browns scored on another Judkins touchdown run to make it 17–3. A Riley Patterson field goal for Miami made the score 17–6 at halftime.
On the first play of the second half, Tyson Campbell intercepted a Tua Tagovailoa pass and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown, making the score 24–6. Judkins scored his third touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter, set up by a Rayshawn Jenkins interception returned to the Miami 2-yard line, extending the Browns' lead to 31–6, which was the final score.
With the win, the Browns improved to 2–5 and ended their streak of 11 consecutive games scoring 17 or fewer points.[52] Grant Delpit was named AFC Special Teams Player of the week for his forced fumble on a kickoff, which set up a Browns touchdown drive.[53]
Week 8: at New England Patriots
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 7 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
| Patriots | 3 | 6 | 21 | 2 | 32 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Date: October 26
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 53 °F (12 °C)
- Game attendance: 64,628
- Referee: Alex Moore
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth and Sarah Kustok
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the loss, the Browns fell to 2–6. This marked the Browns’ sixth straight loss to the Patriots, dating back to 2013.
Despite the loss, Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett recorded a franchise-record and career-high 5 sacks, surpassing his previous mark of 4.5 sacks set against the Chicago Bears in 2021.[54]
Week 10: at New York Jets
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 7 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
| Jets | 14 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 27 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
After the Browns scored a touchdown, Jets' running back Kene Nwangwu returned a kickoff 99 yards for a score. On the very next drive following a Browns punt, Jets' wide receiver Isaiah Williams returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown. Although the Browns attempted a comeback, a holding penalty and a neutral-zone infraction helped the Jets hold on for the win.[55]
With the loss, the Browns fell to 2–7.
Week 11: vs. Baltimore Ravens
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravens | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 23 |
| Browns | 3 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
at Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: November 16
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 44 °F (7 °C)
- Game attendance: 64,230
- Referee: Land Clark
- TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Charles Davis, Jason McCourty and AJ Ross
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his debut with 12:43 remaining in the third quarter after Dillon Gabriel exited with a concussion. However, he struggled, completing only 4-of-16 passes with an interception and finishing with a 13.5 passer rating. Although the Browns kept the game close throughout, Ravens tight end Mark Andrews ran 35 yards on a 4th-and-1 play for the go-ahead touchdown, securing the victory for Baltimore.
With the loss, the Browns fell to 2–8.[56]
Week 12: at Las Vegas Raiders
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 14 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 24 |
| Raiders | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
- Date: November 23
- Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST/1:05 p.m. PST
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 62,244
- Referee: Shawn Hochuli
- TV announcers (CBS): Tom McCarthy, Ross Tucker and Tiffany Blackmon
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Browns named Shedeur Sanders as their starting quarterback.[57]
The Browns' defense sacked Raiders quarterback Geno Smith ten times, while Sanders passed for 209 yards and a touchdown, including a 52-yard completion to Isaiah Bond in the first quarter, ending a 15-game drought without a 50-yard pass by a Cleveland quarterback.[58]
With the win, the Browns improved 3–8. Sanders ended a 17-game losing streak by Cleveland rookie quarterbacks making their first career start. Additionally, the Browns snapped a 13-game road losing streak, which had coincidentally started with loss to the Raiders in the 2024 season.[59]
Week 13: vs. San Francisco 49ers
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers | 7 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 26 |
| Browns | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
at Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: November 30
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 35 °F (2 °C)
- Game attendance: 64,042
- Referee: Brad Allen
- TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the loss, the Browns fell to 3–9 and they secured their 16th losing season in 18 years.
Week 14: vs. Tennessee Titans
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titans | 14 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 31 |
| Browns | 3 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 29 |
at Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, Ohio
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the loss, combined with Pittsburgh's win over Baltimore, the Browns fell to 3–10 and they were eliminated from playoff contention for the 16th time in 18 years.[60]
Week 15: at Chicago Bears
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Bears | 14 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 31 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the loss, the Browns fell to 3–11.
Week 16: vs. Buffalo Bills
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills | 7 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
| Browns | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
at Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: December 21
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Sunny, 25 °F (−4 °C)
- Game attendance: 67,580
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, J. J. Watt and Evan Washburn
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the loss, the Browns fell to 3–12.
Two days later, the Browns announced that running back Quinshon Judkins suffered a dislocated right ankle and a broken fibula late in the second quarter and would miss the remainder of the season.[61]
Week 17: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Browns | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
at Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: December 28
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Rain, 45 °F (7 °C)
- Game attendance: 67,194
- Referee: John Hussey
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the upset win, the Browns improved to 4–12. They finished 3–6 at home.
Week 18: at Cincinnati Bengals
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
| Bengals | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 18 |
at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Date: January 4
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Sunny, 37 °F (3 °C)
- Game attendance: 62,230
- Referee: Alex Kemp
- TV announcers (CBS): Tom McCarthy, Logan Ryan and Amanda Balionis
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Although the Browns entered as 9.5-point underdogs,[62] Cleveland jumped out to a 14–6 lead following early mistakes by Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow threw a 97-yard pick-six to Devin Bush Jr., then on the next drive, he was sacked and fumbled, resulting in a 47-yard fumble return touchdown by Sam Webb. Although the Bengals rallied to take an 18–17 lead with 1:29 remaining, Shedeur Sanders led a late drive that set up Andrew Szmyt for a 49-yard game-winning field goal. Szmyt, who had missed an extra point and a field goal in Cleveland’s 17–16 loss to Cincinnati in Week 1, converted the kick to win the game as time expired. With the win, the Browns finished the season at 5–12 and 2–6 in away games.
Late in the fourth quarter, Myles Garrett sacked Joe Burrow for his 23rd sack of the season, setting the NFL single-season record and breaking the previous mark of 22.5 set by Michael Strahan in 2001 and T. J. Watt in 2021.[63]
The following day, the Browns announced the firing of head coach Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski compiled a 45–56 record over six seasons with Cleveland, leading the team to two playoff appearances and one playoff victory, while also winning NFL Coach of the Year twice.[64]
Standings
Division
| AFC North | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
| (4) Pittsburgh Steelers | 10 | 7 | 0 | .588 | 4–2 | 8–4 | 397 | 387 | W1 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 | 3–3 | 5–7 | 424 | 398 | L1 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 6 | 11 | 0 | .353 | 3–3 | 5–7 | 414 | 492 | L1 |
| Cleveland Browns | 5 | 12 | 0 | .294 | 2–4 | 4–8 | 279 | 379 | W2 |
Conference
| Seed | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division leaders | |||||||||||
| 1[a] | Denver Broncos | West | 14 | 3 | 0 | .824 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .422 | .378 | W2 |
| 2[a] | New England Patriots | East | 14 | 3 | 0 | .824 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .391 | .370 | W3 |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | South | 13 | 4 | 0 | .765 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .478 | .425 | W8 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | North | 10 | 7 | 0 | .588 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .503 | .453 | W1 |
| Wild cards | |||||||||||
| 5[b] | Houston Texans | South | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .522 | .441 | W9 |
| 6[b] | Buffalo Bills | East | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 | 4–2 | 9–3 | .471 | .412 | W1 |
| 7 | Los Angeles Chargers | West | 11 | 6 | 0 | .647 | 5–1 | 8–4 | .469 | .425 | L2 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
| 8[c] | Indianapolis Colts | South | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .540 | .382 | L7 |
| 9[c] | Baltimore Ravens | North | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 | 3–3 | 5–7 | .507 | .408 | L1 |
| 10 | Miami Dolphins | East | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 3–3 | 3–9 | .488 | .378 | L1 |
| 11[d] | Cincinnati Bengals | North | 6 | 11 | 0 | .353 | 3–3 | 5–7 | .521 | .451 | L1 |
| 12[d] | Kansas City Chiefs | West | 6 | 11 | 0 | .353 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .514 | .363 | L6 |
| 13 | Cleveland Browns | North | 5 | 12 | 0 | .294 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .486 | .418 | W2 |
| 14[e] | Las Vegas Raiders | West | 3 | 14 | 0 | .176 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .538 | .451 | W1 |
| 15[e][f] | New York Jets | East | 3 | 14 | 0 | .176 | 0–6 | 2–10 | .552 | .373 | L5 |
| 16[e][f] | Tennessee Titans | South | 3 | 14 | 0 | .176 | 0–6 | 2–10 | .574 | .275 | L2 |
Notes
- Denver finished ahead of New England based on common games (Denver 6–0 to New England 5–1 against: Cincinnati, Las Vegas, NY Giants, NY Jets and Tennessee).
- Houston finished ahead of Buffalo based on head-to-head victory.
- Indianapolis finished ahead of Baltimore based on conference record (Indianapolis 6–6 to Baltimore 5–7).
- Cincinnati finished ahead of Kansas City based on conference record (Cincinnati 5–7 to Kansas City 3–9).
- Las Vegas finished ahead of NY Jets and Tennessee based on conference record (Las Vegas 3–9 to NY Jets 2–10 and Tennessee 2–10).
- NY Jets finished ahead of Tennessee based on strength of victory (NY Jets .373 to Tennessee .275).