Sportsnaut
NFL training camps are right around the corner. Before we know it, along with daily updates on training camp competitions, vague reports of how many interceptions a quarterback tossed in unpadded practices will fuel the news cycle. Until we get there, here are some more bold predictions for the 2026 NFL season, including a big shift from the Cleveland Browns.
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Two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski led the Browns to just five wins last season. Even though he was an offensive-minded head coach, Cleveland lacked the personnel for him to succeed; thus, they finished with the NFL’s second-fewest points scored. Meanwhile, Jim Schwartz’s defense had much more talent to work with, and he managed to lead a group that ranked 14th in points allowed.
Now, as another offensive-minded head coach takes over in Todd Monken, he’ll get much better results. But that’s because the Browns have supplied him with a much better roster. Shedeur Sanders has taken large steps since being selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but now his burden will be eased by having a better running game led by fellow second-year pro Quinshon Judkins. Unlike last year, teams will have to respect this passing game, thanks to new additions like KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston to help supplement Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond, and Harold Fannin Jr.
Rather than having a bottom-15 offense and a top-15 defense, watch the script flip in Cleveland this year. While Jared Verse is an excellent young pass-rusher, he’s not Myles Garrett, and first-year defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg could experience some growing pains trying to win over a locker room that may still wish Schwartz was making the calls instead.
It’s very hard to repeat as champions. Suddenly, there’s a gigantic target on your back, placed there by every coach and player the Seattle Seahawks face as reigning champions. Everyone is out to prove they’re capable of beating the best of the best. Only now, the Seahawks have to work a lot harder to get back to the promised land, and they won’t have as much help to get there.
They’ve lost their young offensive playcalling wizard in Klint Kubiak. A shift to first-year coordinator Brian Fleury might not go as smoothly as Seattle would like. Plus, as great as Sam Darnold was in stretches, he also tossed the NFL’s third-most interceptions last season. The two people who threw more got benched and replaced (Geno Smith and Tua Tagovailoa). Will Darnold become less turnover-prone as he works with another new offensive coordinator? Probably not. Not to mention, the Seahawks now have a shaky running back situation after letting Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III walk in free agency.
The Seahawks have suffered some losses on defense too, where Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen, and Coby Bryant are now slated for starting roles elsewhere....
