On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns released their 2020 preseason schedule:
Dates and times for our 2020 Preseason schedule are set
Details » https://t.co/pX2fX7n3pm
Buy tickets now » https://t.co/K6tgOdtcYZ pic.twitter.com/WEAdbehnfw— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 19, 2020
- Week 1: Saturday, Aug. 15 vs. the Bears in Chicago – 1 p.m.
- Week 2: Saturday, Aug. 22 vs. the Packers in Green Bay – 4 p.m.
- Week 3: Sunday, Aug. 30 in Cleveland vs. Minnesota – 4 p.m.
- Week 4: Thursday, Sept. 3 in Cleveland vs. Tampa Bay – 7:30 p.m.
Preseason Week 1 at Chicago
The only early afternoon game of the preseason slate is against the Chicago Bears, whom the Browns last faced in the preseason and regular season in 2017, each of which was played at Soldier Field.
The Bears may look completely different for this contest, as the Browns return to Soldier Field.
Bears coach Matt Nagy says new QB Nick Foles is all over the playbook. Has no concern about him being at a disadvantage in the competition with Trubisky because of OTAs being canceled.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) May 15, 2020
Fans will be excited to see Nick Foles’ first reps with the Bears after Chicago acquired him in exchange for a 2020 fourth-round draft pick.
The Super Bowl champion quarterback was the Super Bowl LII MVP in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots.
Starting at running back for the Bears will be second-year player David Montgomery, the team’s third-round selection in the 2019 draft out of Iowa State.
Preseason Week 2 at Green Bay
Cleveland continues its road NFC North stretch with the second week at Green Bay.
At Lambeau Field, the Packers quarterback saga will expect to continue.
The 2020 NFL Draft created controversy at the position after the Packers selected quarterback Jordan Love with the No. 26 pick:
Aaron Rodgers on Jordan Love: “He didn’t ask to be drafted by the #Packers. He’s not to blame at all. I had a good conversation with him the day after the draft and I’m excited to work with him.”
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) May 15, 2020
Rodgers, who fell in the NFC Championship Game last year, is saying the right things, but the 36-year-old Super Bowl champion is in the twilight of his NFL career.
Rodgers replaced Brett Favre before the Hall of Fame quarterback turned age 39.
The preseason will sure be interesting, as the Browns take on a Packers team that is hoping to groom its next star quarterback.
Preseason Week 3 vs. Minnesota
The Browns return to FirstEnergy Stadium for the August 30 contest against Kevin Stefanski’s old team on FOX.
The former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator will be facing a Vikings team that has made three of the last five postseasons.
The upcoming 2020 season will be an interesting one for Minnesota with Gary Kubiak replacing Stefanski as the team’s offensive coordinator.
The only NFC North team the Browns do not face during the preseason is the Detroit Lions, whom they faced in Week 4 of the 2018 and 2019 preseasons.
During the regular season, the Browns and the rest of the AFC North are facing NFC East opponents.
Preseason Week 4 vs. Tampa Bay
The only evening game of the Browns preseason schedule is their final preseason contest.
Unfortunately, the Browns host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth week.
Therefore, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin will most likely not play in the contest.
Browns fans wish it was 2017 or 2019 because the Browns and Bucs met in Week 3 of those preseasons.
Both of these franchises are looking to finally make a postseason appearance in 2020.
Neither team has made the playoffs in any of the previous 12 years.
The Browns’ last playoff appearance was in the 2002 wild card round while the Buccanneers made the same round in 2007.
