The Cleveland Browns have had a lot of time to do a lot of reflecting this offseason about what they need to do in 2026. With a new coaching staff and a roster that has been overhauled, Week 1 is going to speak volumes about what they are going to be like.
ESPN also did one last bit of reflection when they tasked the beat writers for their respective teams with answering a few final questions about their teams. One of those questions was what the team's biggest strength is, and Daniel Oyefusi said it is the team's defense.
He explained, "The Browns traded two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams but got two-time Pro Bowler Jared Verse back in return. And Cleveland still has other elite talent, including cornerback
Denzel Ward and linebacker Carson Schwesinger. The Browns, though, will have to show they can remain a top defense not only without Garrett but also with a new coordinator, Mike Rutenberg, who succeeds Jim Schwartz."
The defense is expected to be not only the best part of the team in 2026, but also the part that carries the most weight. If the defense falls apart in 2026, the team will be destined for a VERY long couple of months.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns biggest strength remains their defense in 2026
