[3] During the offseason, the Browns signed key free agents Eric Steinbach (Cincinnati, guard),[4][5] Jamal Lewis (Baltimore, running back),[6] and Robaire Smith (Tennessee, defensive end).

[16] On June 14, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's contract was extended by two years, allowing him to remain with the Browns through the 2009 season.

[20] One day later, on March 5, the Browns lost wide receiver and punt returner Dennis Northcutt to the Jacksonville Jaguars under the terms of a five-year contract.

Because of Lewis’ signing, running back Reuben Droughns had been made expendable,[22] and was subsequently traded to the New York Giants for wide receiver Tim Carter on March 9.

[34] On April 14, the Browns re-signed veteran tight end Steve Heiden to a four-year contract extension,[35] though terms of his deal were not disclosed.

[37] On April 25, the Browns resigned free agents Simon Fraser and Mason Unck each to one-year contracts.

[38] On April 27, the Browns resigned free agent offensive lineman Nat Dorsey to a one-year contract.

[44] On June 17, the Browns waived cornerback Antonio Perkins, fullback Alan Ricard, and offensive linemen Brent Pousson and Scott Stephenson.

[45] On June 26, the team waived safety Ben Emanuel and claimed former Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver Efrem Hill from waivers.

[2] During the second round of the draft, the Browns made another trade with the Cowboys,[3] this time using the selection to pick UNLV cornerback Eric Wright.

[3] On the second day of the draft, the Browns looked to fill holes left by departing players through free agency.

[55] Until August 7, the Browns and Brady Quinn could not agree on a contract, and the quarterback missed nearly two weeks of training camp.

In the week following the game, he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for a sixth-round draft pick, and Derek Anderson was named the starter for the rest of the season.

The win also kept the team's playoff chances alive as the Steelers lost to the Jaguars, creating a tie for 1st place in the AFC North.

Cleveland traveled to divisional rival Cincinnati, needing a win to secure the team's first playoff berth since 2002.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Bengals scored 19 points in the second, 13 of which were on short drives due to two interceptions by Derek Anderson.

The loss dropped the Browns to 9–6 and meant the team no longer controlled its own destiny in securing a playoff berth.

However, the Browns would be eliminated from postseason contention later in the day when the Tennessee Titans defeated the Indianapolis Colts to secure the AFC's last wild card spot.

Six Browns players, wide receiver Braylon Edwards, kick returner Josh Cribbs, left tackle Joe Thomas, longsnapper Ryan Pontbriand, tight end Kellen Winslow II, and quarterback Derek Anderson were named to the AFC team to represent the Cleveland Browns during the 2008 Pro Bowl.

[68] Thomas, Anderson, and Winslow were all voted first alternates but all played due to injuries or other players electing not to participate in the game.

Guard Eric Steinbach (1st), fullback Lawrence Vickers (2nd), and placekicker Phil Dawson (3rd) were named alternates at their respective positions.