Aug 19, 2026 - Sports

Hue Jackson defends disastrous Browns tenure

Troy Smith

Hue Jackson served as Browns head coach from 2016 through part of the 2018 season, when he was fired. Photo: Frank Jansky/Getty Images

As the Browns prepare for a new season, former head coach Hue Jackson is drawing attention back to one of the franchise’s darkest eras.

Driving the news: Jackson was adamant he "didn’t fail" as Cleveland's coach during a recent interview on the Pivot Podcast.

What he’s saying: "Go back and look at the teams. Go back and look and ask me who had the decision to put them on the field.

"I have my own algorithm as a football coach. You understand what I’m saying? I know what players it takes [to win]."

Between the lines: Jackson was an assistant on a Cincinnati Bengals team that made the playoffs multiple times before becoming head coach of the Browns in 2016.

Cleveland went 3-36-1 during his tenure, which included a 0-16 season in 2017.

In his defense: The team's leading passer during Jackson's tenure was DeShone Kizer.

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Hue Jackson defends disastrous Browns tenure

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