# 2025 Cleveland Browns season
The 2025 [Cleveland Browns](https://www.edgepedia.org/cleveland-browns) season was the [National Football League](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-football-league) franchise's 73rd season, in which the team finished 5-12, last in the [AFC North](https://www.edgepedia.org/afc-north) for a second consecutive year, and dismissed head coach Kevin Stefanski at its conclusion.[1](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-relieve-kevin-stefanski-of-duties-as-head-coach) • [2](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/05/browns-offseason-nfl-draft-coaching-hotseat) The season followed a 3-14 campaign in 2024 and was defined by a remade quarterback room, a top-five draft pick spent on defensive tackle Mason Graham, and a record-setting final season in Cleveland for defensive end Myles Garrett.[3](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/kevin-stefanski-discusses-future-of-offensive-coordinator-role) • [4](https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/2025/teams/cleveland-browns) • [5](https://apnews.com/article/d4b1e6a527fe3a5aa808b27a5851caa3)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final record | 5-12, last place in the AFC North for a second consecutive season[1](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-relieve-kevin-stefanski-of-duties-as-head-coach) • [2](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/05/browns-offseason-nfl-draft-coaching-hotseat) |
| Head coach | Kevin Stefanski, fired on Monday, January 5, 2026, after the season[2](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/05/browns-offseason-nfl-draft-coaching-hotseat) |
| Coordinator changes | Tommy Rees promoted to offensive coordinator; Jim Schwartz returned as defensive coordinator[6](https://myfootballtoolbox.com/nfl/coaches/teams/browns/) • [7](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/important-dates-for-the-browns-2025-offseason) |
| Top draft pick | DT Mason Graham, Michigan, selected fifth overall via a trade with Jacksonville[4](https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/2025/teams/cleveland-browns) |
| Franchise record | Myles Garrett broke the NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks in 2025[5](https://apnews.com/article/d4b1e6a527fe3a5aa808b27a5851caa3) |
| International game | Week 5 loss to Minnesota, 17-21, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London[8](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/schedule/2025/) |
| Quarterback trades | Kenny Pickett traded to the Raiders (August 26); Joe Flacco traded to the Bengals (October 7)[9](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/transactions/2025) |
| Aftermath | Todd Monken hired as head coach in late January 2026; Garrett traded to the Rams in June 2026[5](https://apnews.com/article/d4b1e6a527fe3a5aa808b27a5851caa3) |
## Offseason and coaching staff
The Browns entered the 2025 offseason after a 3-14 season in which the team started four different quarterbacks and eight different offensive line combinations. In January 2025, [Cleveland](https://www.edgepedia.org/cleveland) fired offensive coordinator [Ken Dorsey](https://www.edgepedia.org/ken-dorsey) and offensive line coach Andy Dickerson following the final loss of the 2024 season.[3](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/kevin-stefanski-discusses-future-of-offensive-coordinator-role) • [10](https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-cleveland-d17a4310-c9e1-11ef-9f88-1d93f6bfca9d)
**Coaching changes.** Tommy Rees, who had served as the Browns' tight ends coach and pass game specialist in 2024, was hired as offensive coordinator for 2025.[7](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/important-dates-for-the-browns-2025-offseason) • [11](https://media.patriots.1rmg.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21143350/W8-at-NE-1.pdf) Having earned NFL Assistant Coach of the Year honors for a 2024 defense that topped the league in yards allowed overall (270.2 a game), passing yards allowed (164.7 a game), third-down conversion rate allowed (67 of 230, or 29.1 percent), and first downs given up (253), [Jim Schwartz](https://www.edgepedia.org/jim-schwartz) was back for another year as defensive coordinator.[11](https://media.patriots.1rmg.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21143350/W8-at-NE-1.pdf)
The offseason also brought organizational turbulence off the field. In the [NFL Players Association](https://www.edgepedia.org/nfl-players-association)'s annual report card, based on anonymous player surveys, the Browns ranked 30th of 32 teams, down seven spots from the previous year, and received an F-, the worst grade issued, for its locker room; players reported that the training room was understaffed and that coaches' families were treated better than players' families.[12](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/03/03/browns-nflpa-report-card-2025) In November 2025, executive [Paul DePodesta](https://www.edgepedia.org/paul-depodesta) left the Browns after nearly ten seasons to run baseball operations for the [Colorado Rockies](https://www.edgepedia.org/colorado-rockies).[13](https://apnews.com/article/e67c9d939d0c27f65c5785de3a4fed10)
## Draft and roster moves
Cleveland held the No. 2 overall pick in the April 2025 NFL Draft and used the fifth selection, acquired in a trade with the [Jacksonville Jaguars](https://www.edgepedia.org/jacksonville-jaguars), on Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, a three-technique interior lineman noted for first-step quickness.[12](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/03/03/browns-nflpa-report-card-2025) • [4](https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/2025/teams/cleveland-browns) The draft class also included linebacker [Carson Schwesinger](https://www.edgepedia.org/carson-schwesinger) and running backs Quinshon Judkins of Ohio State and Dylan Sampson of Tennessee, additions made to rebuild a running backs room that had become transient behind [Nick Chubb](https://www.edgepedia.org/nick-chubb), who left for a one-year deal with Houston.[14](https://www.nfl.com/news/cleveland-browns-2025-training-camp-preview-key-dates-notable-additions-biggest-storylines)
**Quarterback turnover.** The quarterback room was rebuilt and then rebuilt again during the season. On October 7, Cleveland traded Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick (originally from Detroit) to the [Cincinnati Bengals](https://www.edgepedia.org/cincinnati-bengals) in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick.[9](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/transactions/2025)
## Schedule and game results
Cleveland opened the regular season with a 16-17 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7 and lost its first two games, falling 17-41 at Baltimore in Week 2. The first win came in Week 3, 13-10 over the [Green Bay Packers](https://www.edgepedia.org/green-bay-packers) at Huntington Bank Field.[8](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/schedule/2025/)
**First half of the season.** After a 10-34 loss at Detroit in Week 4, the Browns played their international game in Week 5, losing 17-21 to the [Minnesota Vikings](https://www.edgepedia.org/minnesota-vikings) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. A 9-23 loss at Pittsburgh on October 12 dropped the team to 1-5. Cleveland's largest win of the season followed in Week 7, a 31-6 victory over the Miami Dolphins, before a 13-32 loss at New England in Week 8. Week 9 was the bye.[8](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/schedule/2025/) • [15](https://www.nfl.com/schedules/2025/by-team/cleveland-browns)
**Second half of the season.** After the bye, Cleveland lost 20-27 at the New York Jets and 16-23 at home to Baltimore, then won 24-10 at Las Vegas on November 23. Three straight losses closed November and early December: 8-26 to San Francisco, 29-31 to Tennessee, and 3-31 at Chicago. The team lost 20-23 to Buffalo in Week 16, then finished with consecutive wins, 13-6 over Pittsburgh in Week 17 and 20-18 at Cincinnati in Week 18 on January 4, 2026.[8](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/schedule/2025/)
## Defense and Myles Garrett
The defense played at a championship-caliber level relative to the rest of the team, ranking fourth in the NFL in yards allowed.[16](https://profootballrewind.com/teams/browns/2025) Its anchor was Myles Garrett, who in March 2025 signed a four-year contract extension that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, after having demanded a trade at the end of the 2024 season.[5](https://apnews.com/article/d4b1e6a527fe3a5aa808b27a5851caa3)
**Record season.** Garrett broke the NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks in 2025, adding a career-high 33 tackles for loss, and became the first player in league history to record at least 14 sacks in four consecutive seasons.[5](https://apnews.com/article/d4b1e6a527fe3a5aa808b27a5851caa3) • [17](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/myles-garrett-leaves-lasting-legacy-on-the-browns-as-chapter-ends-in-cleveland) Despite the individual record and the defense's ranking, the team's five wins were not enough to make Cleveland relevant in the 2025 playoff picture.[18](https://www.si.com/nfl/2025-final-grades-afc-teams-ravens-chiefs-fall-from-grace)
## Aftermath
The Browns fired Stefanski, a two-time Coach of the Year, on Monday, January 5, 2026, citing results over the previous two seasons; his 5-12 finish followed the 3-14 season of 2024.[1](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-relieve-kevin-stefanski-of-duties-as-head-coach) • [2](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/05/browns-offseason-nfl-draft-coaching-hotseat) Todd Monken was hired as head coach in late January 2026, and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz resigned after three years in Cleveland.[5](https://apnews.com/article/d4b1e6a527fe3a5aa808b27a5851caa3) • [19](https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-cleveland-browns-2026-preview) In June 2026, the Browns traded Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for edge defender Jared Verse, the 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick.[5](https://apnews.com/article/d4b1e6a527fe3a5aa808b27a5851caa3) • [20](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/transactions)
## References
1. [Browns relieve Kevin Stefanski of duties as head coach, ClevelandBrowns.com](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-relieve-kevin-stefanski-of-duties-as-head-coach)
2. [Browns enter offseason with more questions than answers, Axios Cleveland](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/05/browns-offseason-nfl-draft-coaching-hotseat)
3. [Kevin Stefanski discusses future of offensive coordinator role, ClevelandBrowns.com](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/kevin-stefanski-discusses-future-of-offensive-coordinator-role)
4. [Cleveland Browns 2025 Draft Picks, NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/2025/teams/cleveland-browns)
5. [Browns trading 2-time AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to Rams, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/d4b1e6a527fe3a5aa808b27a5851caa3)
6. [Cleveland Browns NFL Coaching History, MyFootballToolbox](https://myfootballtoolbox.com/nfl/coaches/teams/browns/)
7. [Important dates for the Browns' 2025 offseason, ClevelandBrowns.com](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/important-dates-for-the-browns-2025-offseason)
8. [Browns Historical 2025 Schedule, ClevelandBrowns.com](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/schedule/2025/)
9. [Browns Season Transactions 2025, ClevelandBrowns.com](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/transactions/2025)
10. [As the Browns turn, Axios Cleveland](https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-cleveland-d17a4310-c9e1-11ef-9f88-1d93f6bfca9d)
11. [2025 Cleveland Browns Coaching Staff, NFL media guide PDF](https://media.patriots.1rmg.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21143350/W8-at-NE-1.pdf)
12. [Lackluster report card adds to Browns' tumultuous offseason, Axios Cleveland](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/03/03/browns-nflpa-report-card-2025)
13. [Rockies hiring DePodesta of 'Moneyball' fame from NFL's Browns, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/e67c9d939d0c27f65c5785de3a4fed10)
14. [Cleveland Browns 2025 training camp preview, NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/cleveland-browns-2025-training-camp-preview-key-dates-notable-additions-biggest-storylines)
15. [NFL 2025 Cleveland Browns Schedule, NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/schedules/2025/by-team/cleveland-browns)
16. [2025 Cleveland Browns Season Review, Pro Football Rewind](https://profootballrewind.com/teams/browns/2025)
17. [Myles Garrett leaves lasting legacy on the Browns as chapter ends in Cleveland, ClevelandBrowns.com](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/myles-garrett-leaves-lasting-legacy-on-the-browns-as-chapter-ends-in-cleveland)
18. [Final Grades for Every AFC Team for the 2025 Season, Sports Illustrated](https://www.si.com/nfl/2025-final-grades-afc-teams-ravens-chiefs-fall-from-grace)
19. [Cleveland Browns 2026 preview: Todd Monken takes over, PFF](https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-cleveland-browns-2026-preview)
20. [Browns Transactions, ClevelandBrowns.com](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/transactions)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Rugby and other football codes › National Football League › NFL teams and franchises › NFL team seasons 2020 to present*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license