When the Cleveland Browns take the field on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, they will unveil the identity that they are establishing under first-year head coach Todd Monken. Because of Monken’s prowess as an offensive coach, everyone is especially curious to see what Cleveland’s identity will look like on the offensive side of the ball.
The expectation is that it will be built around the run game. The Browns have a talented second-year running back in Quinshon Judkins, and Cleveland has been preparing to use Deshaun Watson’s mobility as well. That means the Browns will probably want to establish the run and build everything around that.
If Cleveland is going to do that, it will need its rebuilt offensive line to quickly gel and excel. Unfortunately, it could be tough sledding for the group in Week 1, because the Browns will be facing off against a Jacksonville team that had the No. 1 rushing defense last season.
Jaguars run defense could be too much for rebuilt Browns offense
In 2025, Jacksonville had the league’s top rushing defense, allowing just 85.6 rushing yards a game. The Jaguars were the only team in the league to hold opponents under 90 rushing yards per game. They also allowed just 3.9 yards per carry, which tied for second in the NFL.
Of course, each season is different, and Jacksonville will look a little different defensively. Most notably, the defense will be without linebacker Devin Lloyd, who the Jaguars let walk in free agency. However, much of the defense remains in place, and Lloyd was replaced with a combination of Ventrell Miller and Branson Combs.
While the Jacksonville unit will have to prove that it can be dominant against the run again, it is still built to do so.
If that proves to be the case in Week 1, it will be trouble for the Browns. Cleveland already has a brand-new starting offensive line, putting together a rookie left tackle, a left guard and center who were acquired in free agency, a potential converted rookie at right guard, and a right tackle who was added via trade in the offseason.
This group is already likely to experience growing pains, and that could be on full display in Week 1 against a good defensive front. If the Browns can’t run the ball, they probably won’t be able to get their offense going at all. No one believes Deshaun Watson is ready to drop back and win a game for the Browns, and without help from the run game, he’ll likely be under a ton of pressure.
That all adds up to a Week 1 disaster for the Browns.
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