The NFL's annual schedule release is set for Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET, and for Cleveland Browns fans, there's already reason to feel optimistic about 2026. After a tough 5-12 season in 2025, the Browns are looking at a potential turnaround—and their strength of schedule is a big part of the story.

According to a graphic shared by the league, Cleveland has the easiest strength of schedule for the upcoming season. That's based on a .429 win percentage from their 2026 opponents last year. It's a promising sign for a team that's bringing in a new head coach in Todd Monken and another highly touted draft class.

The Browns aren't alone near the bottom of the list. Joining them with favorable schedules are the New Orleans Saints (.434), division rival Cincinnati Bengals (.450), Indianapolis Colts (.465), and Atlanta Falcons (.465). On the flip side, teams facing the toughest roads include the Chicago Bears (.550), Miami Dolphins (.542), Arizona Cardinals (.538), Green Bay Packers (.538), and Kansas City Chiefs (.536).

Looking within the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens also enjoy one of the 10 easiest schedules, with opponents posting a .479 win percentage last season. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers sit near the middle of the pack, with a .495 cumulative win percentage against.

What does this mean for Cleveland? They're set to face 10 teams that finished with eight or fewer wins last season. Only four of their 2026 opponents made the playoffs in 2025: the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, and the Steelers.

Of course, it's worth remembering that strength of schedule based on last year's win percentages isn't a perfect science. Teams change, rosters shift, and surprises happen every season. But for a Browns squad looking to bounce back, this is a solid foundation to build on. As the full schedule drops Thursday night, fans can start circling the games that could define their 2026 season.