When the Browns' offense takes the field for their first drive on Nov. 9, they will face a changed Jets' defense.
At the trade deadline on Nov. 4, the Jets traded both of their former first-team All-Pro defenders – CB Sauce Gardner and DT Quinnen Williams. QB Dillon Gabriel, however, remained cautious about what New York's defense can bring to the field.
"They're still a great team," Gabriel said. "They have a bunch of great players. That's why they're in this league. They've played really well."
Even with the changes to the Jets' defense, the Browns are looking to start the second half of the season strong – beginning with kickstarting their offense.
New York ranks in the bottom half of the league in total yards allowed per game, rushing yards allowed per game and points allowed per game. With the trades, the Jets lost Gardner, the top graded coverage cornerback since 2022, and Williams, the top graded defensive tackle against the run this season, per Pro Football Focus.
Browns players like RB Quinshon Judkins can take advantage of Williams' absence. Judkins has run for 69.4 yards per game, the 11th best figure in the NFL. Against the Jets' 26th-ranked run defense, one that has given up 100-plus rushing yards in a game six times, Judkins having success in the run game can help open up the field for the pass game.
"I think it's marrying the run and the pass, but then also establishing the run early," Gabriel said. "I think whenever we're in flow and creating rhythm, we play well. So, I want to continue to find that and find it as much as possible. Then, when we are technically out of the system, you want to be able to find ways to find positive yards and be good at that. So, we look forward to it and know that on both sides we're going to have to be really good."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 10 matchup against the New York Jets.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Assistant Defensive Line Coach Adam Morris during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Tight end Caden Prieskorn (88) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Cornerback Dom Jones (37) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Cornerback Dom Jones (37) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Cleats during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Tight end Caden Prieskorn (88) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Kaden Davis (89) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Tight end Caden Prieskorn (88) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Tight end Caden Prieskorn (88) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Tight end Sal Cannella (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Tight end Caden Prieskorn (88) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Stephen Bravo-Brown during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Linebacker Cameron McGrone (48) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Cornerback Dom Jones (37) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger (52) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 5, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 3, 2025.
With offensive coordinator Tommy Rees taking over the play-calling duties from head coach Kevin Stefanski, he will look to create that marriage between the run and the pass. Rees will also call plays to help Gabriel and his receivers connect.
Of Gabriel's 138 passing attempts from his four starts, 56 were intended for wide receivers. Against the Jets, he's aiming to find his receivers and build momentum for players like WR Jerry Jeudy.
"That's something we want to do. Jerry (Jeudy's) really good," Gabriel said. "I want to get the ball into players' hands that are really good and let them go do their thing. So, just want to emphasize that, and we did it throughout the year, but want to put it as a point of emphasis for sure."
Jeudy has 22 receptions for 257 receiving yards in eight games this season. In those games, he has averaged 32.1 yards, the lowest average of his career. Yet, Jeudy said he is putting the first eight games in the past and focusing on the second half of the season.
While the Browns will have a game plan that aims to bring offensive success for players like Jeudy, they'll also have to deal with the Jets' game plan. Cleveland will face a Jets defensive game plan orchestrated by head coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. The two coaches combined have more than 30 years of coaching and playing experience in the NFL.
The Jets have fared well against the pass this season, allowing 199.6 passing yards per game, the 11th-best average in the NFL. New York, though, has just one takeaway, a Week 6 fumble recovery. Gabriel has thrown two interceptions, both in Week 8. He started his career with 128 consecutive pass attempts without a turnover, keeping control of the ball. Versus the Jets and a defense that traded one of the top coverage cornerbacks in the NFL, Gabriel and his receivers can beat the New York secondary with smart passes and well-executed routes.
In a game that could help change the course of their season, Cleveland will look to translate that preparation into execution – especially in getting Gabriel, Jeudy and the passing game on track.
"They do a very good job of trying to keep you off balance and the things they do from a front cover standpoint. So, they have a bunch of good players. We have to play our best," Stefanski said. "We have a lot of things that we need to do better offensively in total – quarterback position, every position, coaching, you name it. So those are, going back to the bye week, you try to study and learn some things and try to make sure that we as coaches are putting our guys in the best position to succeed."
