The Cleveland Browns have been one of the NFL’s headline-generating teams this offseason, with their high-profile quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders and their blockbuster trade of Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. But now that the regular season is about to begin, the Browns may go back to the ranks of the uninteresting.
Projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL, the only remaining intrigue might be how long Watson can remain the starting QB, and how he will be greeted by Browns fans if he still holds the job for the home opener in Week 3. It also might be entertaining to see what head coach Todd Monken’s direct approach with the media could lead to if the team gets off to a slow start.
Otherwise, there might not be much reason to pay attention to what’s going on in Cleveland, and ESPN insider Ben Solak has named the Browns the most unwatchable team in the NFL in 2026.
“The Browns were 32nd on my watchability rankings last year. And the Browns were watchable in the end as we all enjoyed Myles Garrett’s hunt for the single-season sack record. But Garrett is gone, Sanders’ moment has passed, and there’s not much reason to watch the Browns again. Back into the basement they go. (Rookie receiver Denzel Boston, though — he’s going to be fun.),” Solak wrote.
Garrett’s pursuit of the sacks record dragged out until Week 18 last year, and he got it in just under the wire. After closing his rookie season as the starter, Sanders will continue to generate interest whenever he takes over for Watson, but whether he will have the ability to sustain any momentum based on his limited talent and the Browns’ overall performance is a legitimate question.
Solak, of course, is giving a national take, and loyal Browns fans do have plenty of things to maintain their interest. Jared Verse is in his first season as Garrett’s replacement, and the defense will try to maintain its elite status led by him and Carson Schwesinger.
Rookie wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston will try to live up to their first impressions, and second-year running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. will try to build on promising rookie campaigns. Plus, there is a brand new offensive line, and it is Monken’s first go-around managing a game as an NFL head coach.
Overall, the Browns may not contend for a playoff spot, but they should provide a few intriguing storylines this season.
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