Browns have slim margin of error: 2-year rebuild in progress

For a few fleeting moments between the Cleveland Browns Week 12 victory and Week 13 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, hope resonated within the Northern Ohio organization and fandom. Maybe QB Shedeur Sanders could be the guy. Maybe the dominant defense, led by DE Myles Garrett, could carry the team. Maybe everything worked out as it should late in the season, even if a push to the playoffs was unlikely.

All of that is out the window after a demoralizing loss to the Niners at home.

The Browns special teams were e-specially bad, Sanders looked overwhelmed by what is a good, not great defense, and Cleveland showed the thin margin of error that they currently have to win games. A Browns victory must include at least one of the following:

• Terrible opponent (Dolphins, Raiders)

• One or fewer terrible mistakes/turnovers (Packers, Raiders, Dolphins)

• Lots of mistakes by their opponent (Packers, Dolphins)

A look at the current 2026 NFL draft order shows a few terrible teams, but only a couple will be on Cleveland’s schedule each year. A look at most of the Browns games shows us that the team is almost incapable of playing anything close to a perfect game and can only hope their opponents, especially the good ones, make a ton of mistakes themselves.

Does that sound like a team ready to compete in 2026?

Sure, lots of changes are in store for the team. GM Andrew Berry and/or HC Kevin Stefanski could be fired. Two picks in the first round are likely to be added to the roster. Multiple starters will likely depart in free agency. Cap space will continue to be limited, despite having a good amount to rollover, and a decision on QB Deshaun Watson’s deal could make things worse before they get better.

The Browns 2025 NFL draft class has proven to be a high-quality one, but lacks players at what are considered premium positions in the league. The defense will remain mostly intact around Garrett going into the 2026 season, but the offense has two or three foundational pieces (if we add RB Dylan Sampson to the previous list), at most.

If 2025 was Year 1 of Cleveland’s rebuild, with or without Berry and Stefanski, then 2026 will be Year 2. The Browns need:

• A franchise-level QB, at least at a prospect level

• A starting left tackle

• A top-flight wide receiver

• At least 2 and up to 4 more starting offensive linemen

Even if Cleveland is able to draft a top-flight quarterback with their pick, a starting left tackle with the one they are receiving from the Jacksonville Jaguars, and a receiver to build around at the top of the second round, the Browns would still need to hit on more picks than average at very difficult positions to acquire. If they do that, fill all five to seven needs on the offense, Cleveland will still be in a rebuilding phase in 2026, as a team full of first and second-year players rarely succeeds quickly.

Without significant cap space to add veterans around an assumed home run 2026 NFL draft class, the Browns will continue to have growing pains and smaller margins for error than many other teams. The good news would be that Cleveland fans could start to prepare for a playoff run in 2027 and maybe even more beyond that, if the Browns can answer all of those big needs in the upcoming NFL draft.

Good teams have multiple ways they can win and wide margins for victory. Cleveland has a long way to go before it has those things.