The Cleveland Browns will hit the road for their first challenge of the Todd Monken era. They'll face the Jacksonville Jaguars for their first of two road matchups in Florida before their home opener vs. the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 27.
The Browns enter Week 1 as the biggest underdog of the weekend, but with the conviction that they can pull off an epic upset. That, of course, will be easier said than done given Liam Coen's offensive expertise and weapons.
That's why Browns star CB Denzel Ward wanted to give Trevor Lawrence his flowers.
As much as he likes his team's chances against anybody, he knows the former No. 1 pick can catch fire in the blink of an eye — just like he did in the second half of the 2025 season.
“He’s a really good quarterback. He runs the show, able to make every throw on the field. Good at second-chance plays, extending the play and able to get the ball to his guys. We’re going to have to find a way to neutralize him,” Ward said.
Mike Rutenberg's aggressive approach could force Trevor Lawrence into costly mistakes
Those are fair points and a solid assessment of the Clemson product, but just like Coen said, the Browns already know what they're up against. The Jaguars don't know what new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg might throw at them.
Lawrence has often made wrong decisions and bad reads against disguised coverages. Rutenberg teased some of that in training camp and the preseason, and the Browns' shifty secondary has the personnel to move pieces around and keep the veteran QB guessing.
Also, Lawrence is a true pocket passer. He can extend some plays here and there, but he's more comfortable when he can stand tall in the pocket and go through his progressions than when he's facing the blitz. He was better in 2025, but he struggled mightily in those situations in the past.
Rutenberg is a first-time defensive coordinator, but judging by his previous work, the Browns should be a much more blitz-heavy team under his guidance. As the Atlanta Falcons' defensive pass coordinator, his defense blitzed 33.9 percent of the time, the second-highest rate in the league.
The Browns have a stout pass-rushing front, and with Lawrence's tendency to drift backward and make off-balance throws when he doesn't have a clear path ahead of him, this new-look defense can take the ball out of his hands multiple times. His hero-ball tendencies in third-and-long situations often open the door for a takeaway.
Of course, this will be a tough challenge and Cleveland's offense will also have to do its part, which is perhaps the most complicated part of the equation. But, even against a talented passer like Lawrence, the Browns should be able to force him into making the questionable decisions that have held him back from reaching his superstar potential.
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