Each time T Spencer Fano lines up and looks across the line of scrimmage, he wants to win the rep – no matter who is facing him across the ball.
In Week 8 against the Steelers, though, Fano believed he struggled at times. He allowed a season-high eight pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, while his primary assignment, LB Alex Highsmith, finished the game with half of a sack and three quarterback hits.
"I feel like there were just too many little mistakes that I made that ended up in (me) making big mistakes," Fano said. "That's the most frustrating part, is things that I felt like I was doing better on earlier in the season, now, I just messed up on."
Heading into Week 9, though, Fano is focused on his next matchup, which features another one of the NFL's premier pass rushers. When he takes the field against the Saints on Nov. 8, Fano will line up across from EDGE Chase Young, who is tied for third in the NFL with seven sacks. Young has been the cornerstone of the Saints' pass rush this season, which has tallied 18 sacks so far, tied for the 14th most in the league.
"He's an incredible player," Fano said. "You can't ask for a better opportunity."
Throughout the season, Fano has shown growth as both a pass and run blocker. He currently has a 74.1 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranks 19th out of 69 qualified tackles. Against the Titans in Week 7, Fano tallied a career-high 92.2 overall grade, per PFF, and his 92.4 run blocking grade was the highest of any tackle in the NFL. Fano also currently holds the ninth highest overall PFF rating amongst all rookies in the league this season and is the highest rated rookie offensive lineman.
As he prepares to face Young, Fano is working on keeping himself grounded in games. He noted that occasionally he has to remind himself that he's going up against the best players in the world, and despite his drive to win every rep, he must understand that he will lose on occasion. From there, Fano explained, he can't let little mistakes compound.
Offensive line coach George Warhop mentioned how continuing to develop a foundation to build off in-game will be critical for Fano. Being able to turn to a go-to skillset after minor mistakes can prevent them from piling up.
"From my perspective, you evaluate what happened (and) allow him to have the tools to correct those in-game," Warhop said. "And that's the challenge with a young guy. Until you get your foundation truly set, it's hard to center yourself in-game. So, if you have a bad rep and you can't (say), 'OK I'm going to get back to this' when my foundation isn't completely built, it's hard to do that."
Fano recognizing his room for improvement, while holding himself to a high standard, has been a welcoming sign for head coach Todd Monken. In the lead up to Week 9, Monken has been complimentary of Fano's attitude. Monken believes that Fano's mindset speaks to who he is as a competitor, an excellent indicator for a developing rookie.
"That's a real positive sign of a player that you have that believes he should be playing at a championship level already, playing in his eighth game," Monken said. "I think that's what you want out of your players."
The Browns' coaching staff has emphasized a phrase for Fano this week in preparation of facing Young and the Saints' pass rush — don't let the Steelers beat you twice. Those words have reminded him to flush last week's result while focusing on improving and getting back to his high-level play for Week 9.
"I just have to let all that go because that has no bearing on how the Saints game goes," Fano said.
Fano has also continued to lean on the Browns' veterans in the offensive line room, including T Tytus Howard, as he goes through his first season in the NFL. As a fellow tackle and former first-round pick who also started his rookie year, Howard has a unique understanding of what Fano is navigating.
"Knowing you have another opportunity against another good player this week and another chance to rewrite the story," Howard said. "Playing left tackle as a rookie is the hardest spot in the NFL as a rookie, I don't care what anybody says. Playing tackle in general as a rookie is hard, so there are going to be ups and downs. I just tell him to continue to trust the process, trust his coaching, and go out there and try to apply that. Keep chasing perfection every week. You're not going to be perfect, but chase perfection every week and he will continue to get better."
As the Browns prepare to take on the Saints, Fano is embracing the challenge against Young and the Saints. When he runs out of the tunnel in New Orleans, he'll have an opportunity to make a statement with his play.
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 9 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Hassan Haskins (27) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Coordinator Travis Switzer during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) and Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Line Coach George Warhop during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Khordae Sydnor (90) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Krys Barnes (43) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Khordae Sydnor (90) and Defensive end Nadame Tucker (53) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Coach Mike Bajakian during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (53) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide Receivers Coach Christian Jones during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Xavier Truss (66) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Tytus Howard (71) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (53) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Derek Barnett (97) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Obinna Eze (68) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Xavier Truss (66) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Austin Blaske (64) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A football during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Hassan Haskins (27) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Austin Blaske (64) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Daniel Thomas (24) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Krys Barnes (43) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) and Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (19) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (53) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Special Teams Coordinator Byron Storer during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Wide Receivers Coach John Wozniak during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Austin Blaske (64) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Obinna Eze (68) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Xavier Truss (66) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Xavier Truss (66) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during practice on September 6, 2022 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Austin Blaske (64) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
