Based on 2025, Browns will need at least this many passing yards to make the playoffs

Jul 29, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drop back to pass during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect There are so many unknowns about the C

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What is the story about?

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?

We do know that the Browns will need better quarterback play than they got last season from Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. While the NFL cycle may be moving

away from huge passing numbers, last year’s performance was far from good enough.

Taking a look at last year’s playoff teams for a reference point, the Los Angeles Rams led the NFL in passing yards with 4,557. On the low end of the 14 playoff teams were the following:

Carolina Panthers – 3,048
Philadelphia Eagles – 3,303
Pittsburgh Steelers – 3,440

Given that the Panthers won the NFC South with a losing record at 8-9, they probably are not a good reference point for Cleveland, which has to deal with the more talented AFC North. (A note that not all playoff appearances are the same.)

Last year, the Browns had the second-fewest passing yards in the NFL with 2,808 while the New York Jets were far behind with 2,385. Using the average of the Eagles and Steelers performances last year, Cleveland quarterbacks will need to throw for around 600 more yards this season. That is just 36 more yards a game, on average.

Is passing yards the only indicator of passing game success? Of course not. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh combined for just 16 interceptions last year, while Cleveland quarterbacks gave away 18 of them while only throwing for 16 touchdowns. Also, the Detroit Lions had the third most passing yards in the NFL and still missed the playoffs.

A lot has to happen for the Browns to have a shot at making the playoffs. Throwing for more yards, more touchdowns, and fewer interceptions is just a part of the equation.

How many yards do you think the Browns will pass for in 2026?