No, the Cleveland Browns do not play today. If you’re checking the schedule on this Wednesday, January 14, 2026, looking for a mid-week miracle or even a playoff preview, you’re going to find a whole lot of nothing on the turf at Huntington Bank Field.
The reality for the 2025-26 season is a bit of a gut punch for Cleveland fans. While the NFL playoffs are currently in full swing—with the Divisional Round set to kick off this coming weekend—the Browns are already deep into their offseason. They finished the regular season with a 5-12 record, which, honestly, wasn't enough to get even a sniff of the wildcard race.
What happened to the 2025-2026 season?
It’s been a weird year. People keep asking do Cleveland Browns play today because the end of the season was actually pretty exciting, even if it was too little, too late. The team actually went out on a high note. They beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20-18 in the season finale on January 4.
That game was a microcosm of the whole Browns experience. Myles Garrett finally broke the NFL single-season sack record, hitting 23 sacks by taking down Joe Burrow late in the fourth quarter. Then, rookie kicker Andre Szmyt—who had a rough start to the year—nailed a 49-yard field goal as time expired to win it.
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But two wins at the end of the schedule didn't save Kevin Stefanski’s job. The front office relieved him of his duties shortly after the season wrapped up, and that’s why today isn't about football; it's about interviews.
Why the Browns aren't in the Divisional Round
If you look at the playoff bracket for this weekend, you’ll see teams like the Steelers and Texans moving on. The Browns, meanwhile, are stuck at home for a few specific reasons:
- The Quarterback Carousel: We saw a mix of Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel this year. While the rookies accounted for over 80% of the team's total yards, the consistency just wasn't there. Sanders showed flashes of brilliance but also had those "welcome to the NFL" moments that lead to 5-12 seasons.
- The Deshaun Watson Shadow: The contract situation continues to be the massive elephant in the room. With a projected cap hit of over $80 million for 2026, the team is basically doing financial gymnastics just to keep the lights on.
- Offensive Struggles: While the defense remained elite (allowing the fourth-fewest yards in the league), the offense was bottom-six in almost every meaningful category. You can't win in today’s NFL scoring 13 points a game.
Who is playing instead?
Since the Browns are out, the NFL spotlight is on the Divisional Round starting January 17. The Denver Broncos will be hosting the Buffalo Bills, and the 49ers are prepping for another deep run. For Cleveland fans, the "game" today is happening in the front office.
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The big news today, January 14, is that the Browns have requested an interview with Grant Udinski, the Jaguars' offensive coordinator. They’re also looking at former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel. Basically, the team is in a total rebuild mode while the rest of the AFC North is still playing meaningful football.
What to do now that the season is over
Since the answer to do Cleveland Browns play today is a resounding no, your focus should probably shift to the 2026 NFL Draft. Because they won those last two games, the Browns actually dropped to the No. 6 overall pick.
There's a lot of chatter about Alabama’s Ty Simpson or potentially trading up for a top-tier signal caller like Fernando Mendoza if the Raiders are willing to deal.
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Next Steps for Browns Fans:
- Track the Coaching Search: Keep an eye on the Grant Udinski and Mike McDaniel rumors. The new coach will determine if Shedeur Sanders is "the guy" or just a bridge.
- Cap Watch: Watch for the inevitable restructures. Andrew Berry is going to have to get creative with the Watson contract before the new league year starts in March.
- Draft Prep: Start looking at scouting reports for the No. 6 pick. With the offense struggling this badly, a playmaker at WR or a cornerstone Tackle is almost a requirement.
The season is over, but the drama in Cleveland never really stops. It just moves from the field to the boardroom.