So, you’re looking for the browns game today on tv and coming up empty. Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer. If you’ve spent the morning flipping through the guide on YouTube TV or scrolling through the sports apps, there is a very specific reason you aren't seeing a kickoff time for the orange and brown.
The 2025-2026 NFL season didn't exactly go to plan for Cleveland.
While today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, is a massive day for professional football, the Cleveland Browns are officially in "next year" mode. The team finished the regular season with a 5-12 record, landing them at the bottom of the AFC North. Because they didn't qualify for the postseason, there is no Browns game today. Instead of a playoff run, the organization is currently in the middle of a massive transition period, having moved on from head coach Kevin Stefanski earlier this month.
The NFL Playoff Schedule Today: What’s Actually On
Even though the Browns are sidelined, the Divisional Round is in full swing. If you were looking for high-stakes football to fill that hole in your Sunday, here is what’s actually hitting the airwaves today:
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
💡 You might also like: Anthony Davis USC Running Back: Why the Notre Dame Killer Still Matters
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV: ABC / ESPN
- The Vibe: C.J. Stroud and the Texans are trying to storm Foxborough. It's a classic "new guard vs. old powerhouse" matchup that’s worth a look if you need a football fix.
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- TV: NBC / Peacock
- The Vibe: This is the primetime slot. The Bears managed to squeeze past the Packers last week, and Soldier Field is going to be rocking.
Why the Browns Aren't on TV Today
It feels weird to have a January Sunday without the Browns being part of the conversation, especially after the flashes of hope we saw in previous years. But 2025 was rough. Between injuries and a struggle to find a consistent rhythm on offense, the team just couldn't stack enough wins to stay relevant in a brutal AFC North.
By the time the regular season wrapped up with that Week 18 loss to the Bengals, the writing was on the wall. The firing of Kevin Stefanski on January 5 marked the official start of a new era—or at least another attempt at one.
General Manager Andrew Berry is currently in the thick of a coaching search. While other teams are drawing up playoff play-sheets, the Browns’ front office is sitting in interview rooms.
📖 Related: AC Milan vs Bologna: Why This Matchup Always Ruins the Script
Browns Draft Status: The Silver Lining
If you’re a "glass half full" kind of fan, there is a reason to pay attention to the games happening today. Thanks to some savvy maneuvering (and that massive trade with Jacksonville during the 2025 draft), the Browns actually have two first-round picks coming up in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Because the Jaguars were eliminated in the Wild Card round last week by the Buffalo Bills, the draft order for the top of the board is starting to solidify.
Currently, the Browns are locked into:
- Pick No. 6 overall
- Pick No. 24 overall
Watching the Texans or the Rams today might give you a glimpse of the kind of roster construction Cleveland is aiming for. They have the draft capital to make a major splash this spring, potentially grabbing a franchise-altering playmaker or even a new signal-caller if the new coaching staff wants to go that route.
👉 See also: 49ers vs Chargers Super Bowl: What Most People Get Wrong
How to Follow the Browns This Offseason
Since the browns game today on tv isn't happening, the action has shifted to local sports radio and social media. The "Hot Stove" in Cleveland is already burning.
92.3 The Fan and 850 ESPN Cleveland are basically 24/7 coaching search stations right now. Everyone has a theory on who the next lead man should be. Do they go with a young, innovative offensive coordinator to fix the scoring woes? Or do they look for a veteran leader to stabilize the locker room?
Where to Catch Future Browns News
- The Browns Mobile App: They usually drop "Behind the Scenes" content during the coaching search.
- NFL Network: Expect "Breaking News" scrolls whenever a candidate is flown into Cleveland.
- Local News: Channels like WKYC and FOX 8 are usually the first to spot the private jets landing at Burke Lakefront Airport.
It’s definitely not as fun as watching a playoff game at Huntington Bank Field, but for Browns fans, this is the "game" we’re playing for the next few months. It's all about the rebuild, the draft, and the hope that by January 2027, we actually have a reason to check the TV listings.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there’s no game to watch, here is how you can stay productive as a fan today:
- Check the Draft Board: Look at the current mock drafts for the #6 and #24 picks. Names like those top-tier edge rushers or the latest crop of SEC receivers are starting to trend.
- Watch the Texans-Patriots Game: Pay attention to how Houston built around a young QB. It’s the blueprint the Browns are trying to replicate.
- Clear Your Sunday in February: Even without Cleveland, Super Bowl LX is set for February 8, 2026, on NBC. It’s a good time to start planning the watch party anyway.
- Follow the Coaching Search: Keep an eye on the flight trackers. The Browns are expected to make a decision on their new head coach sooner rather than later to ensure the new staff can get to work on the draft board.