| 2018 Cleveland Browns season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Jimmy Haslam |
| General manager | John Dorsey |
| Head coach | Hue Jackson (fired Week 8, 2–5–1 record) Gregg Williams (interim, 5–3 record) |
| Home field | FirstEnergy Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 7–8–1 |
| Division place | 3rd AFC North |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | OG Joel Bitonio DE Myles Garrett WR Jarvis Landry CB Denzel Ward |
| AP All-Pros | OG Joel Bitonio (2nd team) DE Myles Garrett (2nd team) |
The 2018 season was the Cleveland Browns' 66th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 70th overall, their first full season under general manager John Dorsey, and their third and final season under head coach Hue Jackson. Unusually, the Browns started their campaign with a tie, although this result was enough to ensure they would improve upon the 2017 campaign in which they finished 0–16. Cleveland ultimately finished in 3rd place in the AFC North with a record of 7–8–1, their best record since the 2007 season. However, they missed the playoffs for the 16th consecutive season, having last made the playoffs in 2002.
On September 9, the Browns opened their season against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 21–21 tie. This was the Browns' first tie since 1989, and it ended a 17-game losing streak which dated back to the 2016 season. On September 20, the Browns defeated the New York Jets 21–17, ending a 19-game winless streak.
On October 29, Jackson was fired after posting a record of 2–5–1 through Week 8 and an overall record of 3–36–1 during his two and a half seasons in Cleveland. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who was in his first season with the Browns, was fired the same day. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was named interim head coach.[1] Under Williams, the Browns went 5–3 to finish out the season.
Rookie starting quarterback Baker Mayfield threw 27 touchdown passes, breaking the record for the most touchdown passes thrown by a rookie quarterback. The previous record of 26 was shared by Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson, and it was later broken in 2020 by Justin Herbert.