Michael Hull

Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Bengals' 2025 opponents. We will start with Cincinnati's first and last opponent of the upcoming season, the Cleveland Browns.

2024

The Browns finished with a 3-14 record last season, including two losses to the Bengals. The team had wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cleveland started four different quarterbacks over the course of the year and finished with the fewest points per game (15.2) and the fifth-fewest yards per game (300.8). Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was a bright spot in the offense, tallying 90 receptions and over 1,200 yards through the air. Defensively, the Browns allowed the fifth-most points per game (25.6).

Offseason Changes

Cleveland made a few big adjustments this offseason, prominently to its quarterback room. The Browns let Jameis Winston, who started seven games in 2024, walk in free agency. They brought in veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett and drafted Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel and Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft. Incumbent QB Deshaun Watson is working his way back from injury but remains on the roster.

The Browns locked up former first overall pick Myles Garrett this offseason, signing the edge rusher to an extension that averages $40 million per year.

Cleveland held the second overall pick in the draft but traded it for significant picks that included the fifth overall selection and a 2026 first-round pick. They selected DT Mason Graham out of Michigan with the fifth pick, added Gabriel and Sanders in the third and fifth rounds, respectively, and drafted two running backs: Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins and Tennessee's Dylan Sampson. Both backs will compete with Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. after the team parted ways with Nick Chubb.

LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list in May, ending his 2025 campaign before it began. The Browns drafted UCLA LB Carson Schwesinger 33rd overall, and the rookie could see a lot of early playing time as a result of Owusu-Koramoah's absence.

Coaching Staff

Head coach Kevin Stefanski enters his sixth season as head coach of the Browns after spending 14 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Stefanski has a career record of 40-44 with Cleveland and joins Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Brown as the only coaches in team history to record multiple seasons with at least 11 regular season wins. He has led the Browns to two postseason appearances and was awarded Associated Press Coach of the Year twice in 2020 and 2023.

Tommy Rees steps into the role of offensive coordinator after serving as the tight ends coach and pass game specialist in 2024. He previously spent a year as the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama and six seasons at the University of Notre Dame as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz returns for his third season leading the Browns defense after being named NFL Assistant Coach of the Year in 2023.

Series History

As AFC North rivals, the Bengals and Browns have met 103 times. Cincinnati holds a 55-48 lead over Cleveland and has won three straight.

What To Watch For

Week 1 marks the 10th time the Bengals and Browns have matched up to start the season. It is also the second time in three years the two opponents will begin and end the season against one another.

There could also be a rookie battle in the trenches between Graham and Bengals third-round pick G Dylan Fairchild.

Whoever is under center for Cleveland in Weeks 1 and 18 will face a revamped Bengals defense led by new defensive coordinator Al Golden. The Cincy defense fared well against the Browns in 2024, allowing 10.0 points per game in the two matchups.