The Todd Monken era is about to officially begin. After a long offseason, the Cleveland Browns are counting down the days to their Week 1 battle against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jacksonville is the heavy favorite coming into this game, as questions about the Browns' quarterback decision and reliance on young players have painted a negative outlook for their 2026 season. Still, if Cleveland can win in a few key areas, it could come away with an upset on the road in their season opener.
These four matchups could end up determining the outcome of Monken's first game at the helm.
4 matchups to watch as Browns take on Jaguars in Week 1
Browns WR KC Concepcion vs. Jaguars CB Travis Hunter
The storylines here write themselves. The Jaguars traded with the Browns to get Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft. Cleveland then used one of the picks it received from that deal to take Concepcion this offseason.
While Concepcion will see much of his work from the slot, his ability to separate from Hunter and the rest of Jacksonville's cornerbacks and present Deshaun Watson with easy completions will be crucial in this game. The rookie can prove that the Browns won this trade.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson vs. Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile
Speaking of Watson, the starting quarterback will need to quickly process looks against one of the NFL's best defensive coordinators. If the Browns are going to win this game, they'll need to do so without turning the ball over. Watson can't afford to be duped by Campanile's disguised coverages or exotic blitzes.
The Jaguars forced the second-most turnovers in the NFL last season. Watson must limit his mistakes to give Cleveland a realistic shot.
Browns LT Spencer Fano vs. Jaguars EDGE Josh Hines-Allen
The rookie left tackle doesn't get to ease into his NFL career. He'll face off against one of the most talented duos of edge rushers in the league in his debut. Both Hines-Allen and Travon Walker possess long arms and dangerous burst off the line of scrimmage, the exact combination that scouts worried would give Fano fits if he remained at tackle.
Fano doesn't have to be perfect in this game, but he needs to avoid disaster to give his offense a chance to move the ball consistently.
Browns EDGE Jared Verse vs. Jaguars LT Anton Harrison
This offseason, the Jaguars quietly swapped their offensive tackles, moving Harrison to the left and Cole Van Lanen to the right. If Harrison hasn't fully adjusted, Verse could be set to tee off on him in the opener.
Verse is stepping into Myles Garrett's impossibly big shoes as the new face of Cleveland's defense. He doesn't need to set himself on a record-breaking pace in this game, but he needs to be a consistent disruptor. His tenacity and physicality could push the Jaguars off their plan just enough to create chaos.
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