Cleveland Browns news: The final Sunday before the Browns return

We have reached the final Sunday before the 2026 NFL regular season begins on Wednesday night when the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots.

Thursday brings the Los Angeles Rams (who have a new defensive player, in case you had not heard) and the San Francisco 49ers from Melbourne, Australia.

Then, next Sunday, the game that everyone has been waiting for as the Cleveland Browns take the field for their first regular-season game under head coach Todd Monken. The unlucky opponent? The Jacksonville Jaguars.

That is still a few days away, so have a great holiday weekend, and let's kick off the day with the latest edition of the Sunday Dawg Chow.

Browns 2026 season: 5 reasons I'm excited, 3 reasons I'm concerned (Jared Mueller) – "While we are ready to move forward with Cleveland's 2026 season, the decisions made this offseason undergird everyone's expectations. Here is a list of a few things I'm excited about and concerned about.

Based on 2025, Browns will need at least this many passing yards to make the playoffs (Jared Mueller) – "There are so many unknowns about the Cleveland Browns going into next week's season opener. How will HC Todd Monken do in the role for the first time at the NFL level? What will the downturn from Myles Garrett to Jared Verse do to the defense? How will all the young roster players look in real games with fewer veterans around them?"

Is the 5,000-yard QB extinct? Where Browns find themselves in the NFL's cyclical nature (Jared Mueller) – "The NFL has been a "head coach, offensive play caller, and quarterback league" for a while now. The Cleveland Browns hope they have the first two locked up with HC Todd Monken, but few believe that Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, or Taylen Green fit the mold of a franchise-level quarterback."

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Spencer Fano's climb to No. 9 pick started with dad-demanded footwork drills when he was 6 (Browns Zone) – "Agility ladders are common on a football practice field. They are placed on the ground, and the players — primarily running backs and receivers but even linemen on occasion — run through them to improve footwork and quickness. The ladder is unusual for a backyard. Especially one used by a 6-year-old."

Browns rookie KC Concepcion might be Todd Monken's most dangerous weapon this season (cleveland.com) – "The easiest way to improve an offense is to find players who can create yards without requiring everything around them to be perfect. For the Browns, rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion has already demonstrated that kind of ability. The first-round pick can contribute as a receiver, runner and punt returner, giving head coach Todd Monken a versatile weapon who can affect all three phases of the game."

Browns hoping improved health can lift defensive line entering opener (Beacon Journal) – "The injury bug bit the Browns in multiple areas during the course of training camp. The area most impacted was their defensive line."

Exclusive Interview with Adin Huntington (Cleveland Browns YouTube) – "Nathan Zegura sits down with Adin Huntington to talk going into year 2, what gives him drive, and moving up to becoming a starter."

Will Kyler Murray end the Vikings' tragicomic QB history? (ESPN) – "Long before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings this spring, Kyler Murray understood the tragicomic nature of their attempt to find a stable long-term quarterback."

Jayden Daniels is ready for a new offense. His first task: Learn how to huddle (The Athletic) – "Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders' coaching staff were watching video footage from a GoPro affixed to Jayden Daniels' helmet, hoping to see how he went through his progressions, when they found something else."

Giants' Greg Newsome on facing George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb in Week 1: 'Great players, but I like our chances' (NFL.com) – "The extended window before the start of the 2026 NFL season provides opportunity for a little extra bulletin board material. New York Giants cornerback Greg Newsome II, as complimentary as he was while doing so, might have provided some for the Dallas Cowboys ahead of their prime-time Week 1 matchup."

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