The question of what time is the browns game usually hits its peak on a crisp Sunday afternoon in Northeast Ohio. But right now, if you're looking for a kickoff time for today, January 15, 2026, I've got some news that might sting a little. The Cleveland Browns aren’t playing today. In fact, they aren’t playing this week, or next week, or even next month.
While the NFL playoffs are currently in full swing—with teams like the Bills, Broncos, and Texans gearing up for massive Divisional Round matchups this weekend—the Browns are already in full-on "next year" mode. After finishing the 2025 season with a 5-12 record, Kevin Stefanski’s squad officially hung up the cleats following their Week 18 win against the Bengals on January 4. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a fan base that lives and dies with every snap at Huntington Bank Field.
Finding the Next Kickoff: What Time Is The Browns Game in 2026?
Since there are no live games on the calendar for the rest of the winter or spring, the real answer to what time is the browns game won't be concrete until the NFL releases the official schedule in May 2026. Typically, the league drops the full 17-game slate during the second week of May. That’s when we’ll know which games are 1:00 PM snoozers and which ones got the nod for Sunday Night Football.
Even without a time, we actually know who they are playing. Because the Browns finished fourth in the AFC North, they’ve been handed a "last-place schedule" for 2026. This is actually a silver lining. Instead of a gauntlet against every first-place powerhouse, they get to face other teams that struggled in 2025.
The 2026 home slate in Cleveland is already looking interesting:
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- The usual divisional brawls with the Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers.
- High-profile visits from the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.
- Inter-conference matchups against the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.
- A late-season visit from the Las Vegas Raiders.
On the road, things look a bit more humid. The team is scheduled to travel to New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Jacksonville. If you're a fan planning a road trip, those are the ones to circle.
Why the 2025 Season Ended Early
It wasn't supposed to go like this. Coming off a year where Myles Garrett cemented his legacy as a first-team All-Pro, the expectations were sky-high. But a 5-12 record tells a story of missed opportunities. The defense, led by Garrett and Denzel Ward, kept them in games, but the offense struggled to find a consistent rhythm.
We saw flashes of brilliance, like that Week 17 win over the Steelers where the defense looked like a brick wall. But then there were the blowouts against teams like the Bears and Ravens. Consistency was the ghost they couldn't catch.
The Road to the 2026 Opener
So, what happens now? Between now and the first preseason game in August 2026, the organization goes through a massive transformation. The NFL Draft in April will be the first major milestone. Since the Browns struggled, they’ll have a premium pick to hopefully find a playmaker who can change the scoreboard.
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Then comes the "voluntary" workouts and training camp. By the time late July rolls around, the city will be buzzing again.
How to Stay Ready for 2026 Kickoffs
If you're still searching for what time is the browns game because you just need your football fix, your best bet is to tune into the playoff games happening this Saturday and Sunday.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: LA Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET)
It’s not the Browns, but it’s the path to the Super Bowl on February 8.
The most important thing for Browns fans to remember is that the "offseason" is actually when the team is built. Andrew Berry and the front office are currently evaluating every snap from the 5-12 campaign. They are looking at the cap space, the roster holes, and the coaching staff.
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Final Thoughts for the Dawg Pound
Watching other teams play in January is never fun. It feels like being invited to a party and then told you have to stay in the car. But the NFL is a league of quick turnarounds. The 2026 schedule, with its last-place opponents, offers a legitimate path back to relevance.
Keep an eye on the official NFL schedule release in May 2026. That is the moment the countdown truly begins, and we can finally put a specific time and date on the calendar for the return of Cleveland football.
To prepare for the 2026 season, fans should track the NFL Draft order following the Super Bowl to see exactly where the Browns' first-round pick lands. Once the draft concludes in late April, look for the official schedule release in mid-May to book travel for away games in cities like New Orleans or Tampa Bay before ticket prices spike.