Stock Up, Stock Down from New England’s Loss to the Cleveland Browns | Patriots Roundtable Podcast
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That’s a wrap on the 2026 preseason.
Last night, New England Patriots traveled to Cleveland to take on the Browns in the preseason finale, falling by a score of 37-13. New England fell behind early in the game and failed to tighten the contest late as they focused more on rest and recovery than the result on Thursday night.
On today’s episode of the Patriots Roundtable Podcast, hosts Eddie Marotta and Tyler Geis provide their key takeaways and review whose stock is up — and whose is down — after another competitive week of program installation and roster evaluation. Who made the most of their final audition and left a lasting impression as the cut down to 53 players looms? We debate whose case for inclusion on the regular season roster is irrefutable after a month of training camp, joint practices, and preseason games.
Offensively, second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams was one of a few lone bright spots for New England in the finale. He caught his third touchdown pass in as many preseason games in highlight-reel fashion, waltzing into the end zone from 45-yards out after beating former Patriot D’Angelo Ross on a signature go route down the left side line. Thursday was a much more efficient outing for Williams, who caught each of his two targets after hauling in just two-of-six last week. Williams, Tommy DeVito, and Caleb Lomu were among the New England players who only saw action in the first quarter, as the team rested 39 players to preserve health for the regular season opener on September 9.
Defensively, the Patriots struggled to keep Cleveland backup quarterbacks Dillion Gabriel and Taylen Green off the scoreboard and allowed points on each of the Browns’ five first-half drives. Wide receiver Luke Floriea caught two touchdowns against New England depth cornerbacks in a very forgettable performance from Charles Woods and Kindle Vildor. Gabe Jacas played the first quarter but no longer, and once again had a difficult time reading option keepers and play-action fakes thrown at him by the opposition. Rookie linebacker Namdi Obiazor started the game and played into the fourth quarter, recording a game-high 11 tackles on the night.
New England’s 2026 preseason is officially in the books. Now, the front office looks ahead to a collection of difficult decisions in the coming days, as the cut down to 53 must be completed by Sunday, August 30, at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Who stood out to you in the Patriots’ preseason loss to the Browns? Who do you think survives the cut down to 53? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.
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