On Feb. 26, head coach Kevin Stefanski and QB Cam Ward met at the 2025 NFL Combine as the Browns considered their options with the No. 2 overall pick. Nearly two months later, Ward was selected first overall by the Titans while the Browns traded back to the No. 5 overall pick and took DT Mason Graham on April 24.

Now, the Browns will take on Ward and the Titans on Dec. 7 at Huntington Bank Field in Week 14. Ward will face Cleveland's attack-style defense but is someone Stefanski said is going to test the Browns with his skillset. He has thrown for 2,351 passing yards and seven touchdowns this season while also posing a threat to scramble. Ward has picked up first downs on nearly half of his 28 rushing attempts, gaining 11 first downs using his legs.

"(He) has a ton of talent, and you see it on tape," Stefanski said. "Some of the throws, the extended plays. He can really fit it in the tight windows. I have a lot of respect for his mind and how he thinks about the game."

The Browns will look to challenge the rookie quarterback. Cleveland's defense has been one of the best in the NFL, allowing the second-fewest total yards per game, the third-fewest passing yards per game and the 10th-fewest rushing yards per game. Their defense starts up front with the defensive line, as the Browns have 43 sacks this season, the second-most in the NFL. They have also recorded 94 tackles for loss, averaging 7.83 per game.

DE Myles Garrett leads the NFL with 19 sacks and 28 tackles for loss while defensive ends Alex Wright, Cameron Thomas and Isaiah McGuire all have multiple sacks this season. With DT Maliek Collins out for the season after sustaining a quad injury in Week 13, defensive tackles Graham, Mike Hall Jr. and Shelby Harris will step up in his absence to fill the gaps in the middle.

Despite the loss of Collins and his pass-rushing ability, the attitude of the defensive line when it comes to getting into the backfield is universal to the entire position room, Stefanski said. Cleveland will match up against an offensive line that has given up 48 sacks this season, including allowing a sack in every game and three or more sacks in seven consecutive games.

"Our guys keep the focus on doing their job," Stefanski said. "There's a style to how we play. Just the DNA and how we rush and how relentless we are. I think that's a mindset of the entire room."

In the defense's game planning for Ward, CB Denzel Ward said that the Browns have used their pre-draft research on the rookie quarterback to help prepare the defense. That preparation is helping Denzel Ward and Cleveland's secondary understand what Cam Ward will bring to the matchup.

"I think he has a good arm talent, able to make some nice throws, able to extend plays for sure," Denzel Ward said. "You have to wrap him up and get him all the way down. He's still going to try to make a play and get the ball to his playmakers."

Stopping Cam Ward from getting the ball to his playmakers will be an effort shared among Cleveland's defense. Players like Garrett and Graham will work their way into the backfield and force Cam Ward to scramble and extend plays, leading him into potential negative plays or mistakes. Behind the defensive line, linebackers Carson Schwesinger and Devin Bush will help contain Cam Ward's scrambling and short-to-medium passing ability to force short offensive gains. Then, Denzel Ward and the secondary will try to take away Cam Ward's pass catchers like WR Calvin Ridley and TE Chig Okonkwo.

Despite Tennessee's 1–11 record, the Browns need to be aware of how Cam Ward can impact the game. As Denzel Ward reiterated, both teams want to beat each other on Sunday.

"It's a team that's trying to come in here and beat us, so it goes vice versa. That's what we're trying to do," Denzel Ward said. "We're trying to go in and get a win and that's what both sides are trying to do and, so, that's the threat right there. Who's going to come out on top?"