So, you’re looking for the Cleveland Browns score? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’re checking the scoreboard today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, you won’t find any orange helmets on the field. The Browns aren’t playing today. While the NFL Divisional Round is in full swing with the Buffalo Bills taking on the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks hosting the 49ers, Cleveland is already deep into its offseason.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer. After a season that felt like a rollercoaster with the brakes cut, the Browns finished their 2025-2026 campaign a couple of weeks ago. If you missed the finale, they actually went out on a high note, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 20-18 back on January 4th. But a 5-12 record doesn't get you a ticket to the January dance.
What is the score of the Cleveland Browns game today and where do they stand?
Since there is no game today, the "score" in Cleveland is more about the front office than the field. The team is currently in the middle of a massive head coaching search. After firing Kevin Stefanski on January 5th—just a day after that season-ending win—the building in Berea has been a revolving door of interviewees.
Just today, the team interviewed Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski. He's only 30 years old, which is kind of wild when you think about the pressure of the Cleveland market. He's the ninth person they've talked to. The list is long: Mike McDaniel, Jesse Minter, Nate Scheelhaase, and even their own OC Tommy Rees have all had sit-downs with the Haslams.
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The vibe in the city is... well, it’s typical Cleveland. Half the fans are arguing about whether they should have kept Stefanski, and the other half are scouting quarterback prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Why the 5-12 finish actually complicates things
You’d think a win to end the season is always good, right? Not necessarily in the world of draft positioning. By beating the Steelers in Week 17 and the Bengals in Week 18, the Browns actually knocked themselves out of a top-three pick.
- They entered December looking like a lock for the No. 1 or No. 2 overall selection.
- Those late wins pushed them down to the No. 6 spot in the 2026 NFL Draft order.
- The Raiders, Jets, and Cardinals are all sitting ahead of them now.
This matters because of the Shedeur Sanders situation. Sanders finished the year with some decent flashes, but the 50% completion rate in the finale against Cincy (11 of 22 for 111 yards) has people wondering if he’s the long-term answer. If the new coach wants "his guy" under center, being at No. 6 makes trading up almost a necessity.
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The defensive silver lining
If you want something to feel good about while watching other teams play today, look at the defense. In that final game against the Bengals, the defense basically won it. Devin Bush had a 97-yard pick-six. Sam Webb returned a fumble 47 yards for a score. It was only the 15th time in the history of the franchise that the defense scored twice in a single game.
Myles Garrett also set another sack record, because of course he did. He’s the one constant in a sea of chaos.
What’s next for the Dawg Pound?
Since you won't be watching them on TV today, the real "game" is the coaching tracker. The Browns are looking for someone who can maximize the veteran talent like Garrett while figuring out what to do with a young, inconsistent offense.
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There's also some heavy news off the field. Natalie Haslam, the stepmother of owner Jimmy Haslam, passed away recently at 94. She was a huge figure in the community, so the family is dealing with that while trying to navigate the future of the football team.
Basically, today is for scouting the competition. If you're watching the Bills or the Broncos, you're looking at the level Cleveland needs to reach. It feels miles away right now, but in the NFL, things flip fast.
Next Steps for Browns Fans:
Keep a close eye on the head coaching interviews over the next 48 hours. With the Divisional Round ending tomorrow, several candidates currently on playoff teams might become available for second interviews. If the Browns don't name a hire by Wednesday, expect the rumors around big names like Mike McDaniel to intensify. Also, start looking at mocks for that No. 6 pick—offensive line depth is looking like a major priority if they don't move up for a QB.