BEREA, Ohio — The 2025 season is in the rearview, and for General Manager Andrew Berry, the honeymoon is officially over. Armed with a staggering 10 draft picks—including the No. 6 and No. 24 overall selections—and a projected salary cap exploding past $300 million, the Browns aren’t just looking to compete. They are looking to conquer.
The message from CrossCountry Mortgage Campus is clear: “What if” doesn’t cut it anymore. With the scouting combine just weeks away, the front office is shifting gears from evaluation to execution. Here is your definitive battle plan for the 2026 offseason.
The War Chest: 10 Picks to Reshape the Roster
You read that right. Ten shots at the dartboard, but Berry isn’t throwing blind. The headline grabbers are the two first-rounders. The No. 6 overall pick puts Cleveland in striking distance for a blue-chip offensive tackle or a premier edge rusher to pair with Myles Garrett. Then there’s the No. 24 pick (courtesy of the Jaguars trade), a luxury asset that allows the Browns to double-dip on elite talent or trade down for even more capital.
But the real story might be the cash. Reports confirm the 2026 NFL salary cap will jump to approximately $303 million. This financial breathing room gives Berry the flexibility to attack free agency aggressively before the draft even starts.
The 7 Critical Dates: Mark Your Calendars
The NFL doesn’t take a break, and neither should you. Here is when the roster gets built.
- February 26 – March 1: NFL Scouting Combine (Indy)The “Underwear Olympics” kicks off at Lucas Oil Stadium. Keep your eyes glued to the offensive line drills. With the No. 6 pick, the Browns need to see who has the footwork to protect the quarterback come September.
- March 9: Legal Tampering Begins
The shadow games start here. Agents and GMs can legally discuss contracts 48 hours before the new league year. Expect leaks, rumors, and swift deals. - March 11 (4:00 PM ET): Free Agency Frenzy
The market opens. Berry has a history of striking early (remember the defensive overhaul of ’24?), and with the cap spike, he has the ammunition to land a Tier-1 veteran. - April 23 – 25: 2026 NFL Draft (Pittsburgh, PA)
Cleveland invades Pittsburgh. The draft is in enemy territory this year, making it the perfect stage for the Browns to steal the show. With two first-rounders, expect the Dawg Pound to drown out the Yinzer terrible towels. - May 1–4 OR May 8–11: Rookie Mini-Camp
The first look at the 10-man class in orange and brown. This is where the hype trains usually leave the station. - Mid-June: Mandatory Mini-Camp
The roster takes shape. Veterans and rookies clash for the first time. The depth chart isn’t written in ink yet, but the pencils come out here. - Late July: Training Camp Opens
The grind begins. All eyes will be on the starting quarterback competition. After the volatility of 2025, stability under center is the only thing that matters.
“We aren’t rebuilding. We’re reloading. We have the assets, we have the talent, and frankly, we’re tired of watching other teams play in late January. It’s time to eat.” — Anonymous Browns Starter, via 2026 Exit Interviews
The X-Factor: Byron Storer
While the draft picks steal the headlines, the hiring of Byron Storer as Special Teams Coordinator shouldn’t fly under the radar. Storer, who cut his teeth with the Packers and Raiders, brings a no-nonsense approach to a unit that needs to tighten up. In a division where games are often decided by a field goal in the sleet, Storer’s impact could be the difference between 9-8 and 11-6.
What’s Next: The AFC North Gauntlet
The schedule makers didn’t do Cleveland any favors. The 2026 slate includes a brutal road trip to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons, plus the standard six-game bloodbath against the AFC North. But with home tilts against the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals, the path to the division title runs through Cleveland.
Berry has the picks. He has the cap space. Now, he just needs to pick the winners.
