The Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills just saw each other on the field during the 2025 regular season. In 2026, they’ll meet again in a more informal setting.
Buffalo is expected to make a return trip to Cleveland in August as part of a joint series of joint practices leading up to a preseason matchup. No official dates for the practices have been finalized at this time.
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The Browns have made a regular habit out of participating in joint practices in recent years. Last year, they actually participated in two different sessions, taking their training camp on the road twice, to both Carolina and Philadelphia.
In 2024, the Minnesota Vikings came to Berea for a joint session and subsequent preseason game. The year before that the Eagles visited the Browns facility and in 2021 Cleveland hosted the New York Giants.
Obviously, all of those joint practices came under previous head coach Kevin Stefanski, making this the first round of joint practices under new head coach Todd Monken.
Cleveland has always valued joint sessions over regular practices within their own team because they provide an opportunity to play take live reps against an actual opponent.
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Buffalo and Cleveland faced off in Week 16 in 2025, with the Bills hanging on for a 23-20 win. Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders actually had a chance to put together a game-winning or tying drive late in the fourth quarter, but it stalled out.
The joint practices will feature some notable matchups for fans to take in, starting with star pass rusher Myles Garrett chasing after former MVP Josh Allen. Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward will have a chance to go one-on-one with new Bills WR DJ Moore as well.
With Cleveland expected to sort out their starting QB role via an open competition, the joint practices could serve as a big opportunity for Sanders, Deshaun Watson and even Dillon Gabriel to earn the starting job.
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