The Browns are set to kick off the 2025 season in Week 1 against a division opponent in the Bengals, providing an early litmus test for Cleveland.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said there is a level of continuity with head coach Zac Taylor and QB Joe Burrow in Cincinnati, and their defense is anchored by DE Trey Hendrickson. However, they have a new defensive coordinator in Al Golden which brings a level of uncertainty on the defensive side of the ball.
"A great challenge this week. Home opener, division game. It'll be a great experience, great environment for our fans, for our football team," Stefanski said. "I have a ton of respect for Coach (Zac) Taylor and the (Cincinnati) Bengals, what they do. Obviously, we know what they've shown over the years. […] They're always really well coached. We have to be about our business. So awesome challenge for this football team this week."
Here are three keys to the game for Week 1 of the regular season.
Win in the interior
The Browns' defense has a difficult matchup with the Bengals' offense and the multiple threats Burrow has in the pass game with WR Ja'Marr Chase, WR Tee Higgins, WR Andrei Iosivas and TE Mike Gesicki. It will take all three levels of the Browns' defense to limit the Bengals' success in the pass game.
But for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, winning up front will be key to their success as a defense against the Bengals.
He believes their defensive line has greatly improved from 2024 to this season, returning to their personality as a defense. They also added players to bolster their line on the interior, drafting DT Mason Graham and signing DT Maliek Collins to add to the interior rush. Their additions play an important role to what Schwartz believes the defensive line can do inside.
"We know they can help on the outside part of the field with guys like Myles (Garrett), they can chip, they can leave tight ends in the protection, but our ability to win inside in this game is going to go a long way to coming out with a win," Schwartz said. "The ball comes out so fast, and shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and those guys are closer to the play. So, those guys need to step up for us. They need to win those matchups. And when we play our best, our D-line leads us there as our engine."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive lineman Cole Strange (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger (52) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver DeAndre Carter (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) and Bill Willis Diversity Fellow Michael Bearden during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Wide receiver DeAndre Carter (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive lineman Cole Strange (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback LaMareon James (27) and Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) and Tight end Sal Cannella (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (71) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) and Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) and Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Dale Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Stop the Bengals' run game
While the Bengals' offense is highlighted by their receiving duo of Chase and Higgins, they also have a threat in the run game in HB Chase Brown they will have to account for.
In Brown's first two seasons with the Bengals, he recorded 273 carries for 1,169 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. However, Schwartz said Brown has developed over his first two seasons and brings speed to the run game. He played a significant role in the run game in 2024, leading the Bengals with 229 carries and 990 rushing yards.
The Bengals averaged 92.6 rushing yards per game in 2024, with Brown averaging 61.9 yards per game on 14.3 carries per game.
"He's earned trust, and they've been a bit of a one-dimensional team over the last couple years," Schwartz said. "Look, there's a big disparity in the rankings and in passing game and rush game, and I'm sure they want to rectify that. So, he's a big part of that. They brought in (Samaje) Perine to be in protection in some third-down situations, and he's good in the passing game, and they drafted a guy too. So, they've made a big commitment to the running game."
Perine, who spent three full seasons with the Bengals from 2019-22, returned to the Bengals this season. In his role as a halfback, Perine adds a veteran who can be a rotational contributor in the run game as well as a contributor as a pass blocker on third downs. They also drafted Tahj Brooks in the 2025 NFL Draft to add a young player to the room for depth.
Account for Trey Hendrickson
While there are questions surrounding exactly what the Bengals' defense will look like in 2025, there is one constant the Browns are familiar with – Hendrickson.
Hendrickson led the NFL during the 2024 season with 17.5 sacks, which also matched his career high that he recorded in 2023. He also compiled five games with multiple sacks in 2024, highlighted by a career-best four sacks in Week 9.
The Browns' offensive line – and specifically LT Dawand Jones who will line up across from Hendrickson – will have to account for Hendrickson and his ability to rush the passer. LG Joel Bitonio said they have to know where their help is as a unit and look for the chip blocks or use their slide protection in order to slow him down. Bitonio said the key is knowing Hendrickson's premier moves, how he will use power and look inside, and as an offensive line they must match that level of energy.
While Jones will have the 1-on-1 matchup, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees reiterated that it will take the entire offense to limit Hendrickson's success.
"He's a great player," Rees said. "He's led the league in sacks for a reason, plays with an extremely high football IQ, has good rush plans, good movements, can finish through traffic, can finish around traffic. It takes everyone. It takes the receivers getting open, it takes the ball coming out on time, it takes the guys that are going to help in protection. All of those pieces add up to a successful protection plan. And then, we got to challenge Dawand (Jones) to own his one-on-one matchups when those are called."
Check out which players updated their jersey numbers ahead of Week 1 of the 2025 season.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
