The Cleveland Browns kick off what is expected to be a rough 2026 season in six days when they go on the road to face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Browns come into the season with a new coaching staff, a new quarterback (in a way), and a defense that is without Myles Garrett for the first time since the 2016 season.
This Browns team will have to make adjustments in 2026, and it all starts with a tough matchup against a Jaguars squad with its eyes on another AFC South title and more. Cleveland will have a lot to overcome against a talented Jacksonville team, but there is a lot that needs to happen between the first and final whistle of the game.
Here are three storylines we are watching ahead of the Browns' Week 1 matchup with the Jaguars.
What is Deshaun Watson going to look like?
By the time we get to Sunday, it will have been 693 days since the last time he played in a regular-season game in the NFL. For his first game back, it will be against a familiar opponent from his Houston Texans days, the Jacksonville Jaguars. His career record against them is 7-1, but he is a long way away from that type of play in his career. The question and storyline to watch is what version of Watson can emerge from the essential rubble that is the Browns' offense ahead of 2026.
Can this defense still be in the NFL's top tier?
The Browns' defense, on paper, remains one of the best in the NFL. However, with them losing Myles Garrett this offseason, that side of the ball is going to have to prove that to everyone. Getting Jared Verse in return helps; a second-year leap from Mason Graham and Carson Schwesinger will help as well. However, the ultimate X-factor is going to be the play of the secondary. They are on a historic run in terms of defending the pass and they will need to keep that up to help the pass rush as they look to move on from Garrett in 2026.
Will the Browns be able to stop the Jaguars from looking like Super Bowl contenders?
This may not be a common belief, but the Jacksonville Jaguars should be in the discussion of teams that could represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Trevor Lawrence looks the part at quarterback, the offense has skill player depth to support him, and their defense is deep and aggressive. The Browns being served up to them in Week 1 has some folks believing this could be a 30-point loss for Cleveland; if that is the case, then it will become a much more popular opinion.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Storylines to watch between the Browns and Jaguars in Week 1
