The Browns don’t have a new head coach yet, but here are some words for whomever that turns out to be: You had better have your team in the postseason next year.
I don’t want to hear about improvement and getting close and having a few more wins and all that kind of stuff, but rather, I want to hear about you getting into the playoffs. There are no ifs, ands and buts about it.
Any reason that you put forth for why you didn’t get in, if indeed you don’t get in, it’s just an excuse. That won’t fly. No excuses at any time allowed. Excuses are for weak people. The Browns need to have a strong head coach who is laser-focused on getting them into the playoffs, no matter what.
A guy who was in your building last season, Mike Vrabel, now the head coach of the New England Patriots, took a team that was 4-13 for two straight years and made the playoffs this season. So, it can be done, and, in fact, it’s been done any number of times over the years. Worst-to-first is no longer a shock, but rather almost commonplace.
This season’s playoffs begin Saturday and continue on Sunday and Monday. That means, next Browns head coach, you have about one year to turn this thing around. And if you don’t, then the season will be considered a complete failure.
Really.
I know I speak for thousands of Browns fans when I say all this, so I am not the only voice that you will hear. Everybody is tired of waiting. No one is willing to wait any longer.
For what it’s worth, here are my predictions for the first round — the wild-card round — of the playoffs:
SATURDAY
NFC — Los Angeles Rams (12-5) at Carolina Panthers (8-9) — 4:30 p.m. — The Panthers are playing with house money and will give the talented — but inconsistent — Rams all they can handle. PICK: Rams.
NFC — Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) at Chicago Bears (11-6) — 8 p.m. — The Packers are fading fast and are in big trouble against a hungry Chicago team. PICK: Bears.
SUNDAY
And to even try to top yesterday: pic.twitter.com/rOC7FaPq96
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 11, 2026
AFC — Buffalo Bills (12-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4) — 1 p.m. — The window is almost closed for the Bills, but they’re still the better team here. PICK: Bills.
NFC — San Francisco 49ers (12-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) — 4:30 p.m. — There won’t be many points scored in this rock fight, but the majority of them will come from the Eagles. PICK: Eagles.
AFC — Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at New England Patriots (14-3) — 8 p.m. — Like the Miami Dolphins, the Chargers are a warm-weather team from the AFC that can’t play in the cold. PICK: Patriots.
MONDAY
Houston Texans (12-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) — 8:15 p.m. — Mike Tomlin‘s team got a little bit of its mojo back last week against the Baltimore Ravens and are at home, where they play much better. Plus, they could be ready to start a little postseason run. But it won’t be easy against that Houston defense. PICK: Steelers.
Whoever wins and loses, though, enjoy the games.
Steve King
