On January 3, 2011, one day after the 2010 season, the Browns fired head coach Eric Mangini.
[1] On January 13, the team hired former St. Louis Rams' offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur to replace Mangini as head coach.
[2] On January 21, Shurmur made his first addition to the coaching staff, by hiring Dick Jauron as defensive coordinator.
Tabor most recently served as the Chicago Bears' assistant special teams coach from 2008–2010.
[4] Tabor replaces Brad Seely, who became the special teams coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.
On June 16, it was announced that the Browns would be wearing white jerseys for all home games.
On August 28, The Browns released eight players, the majority of them being undrafted free agents.
Notable players released include QB Jarrett Brown and DB Coye Francies.
The Bengals struck first, with two Mike Nugent field goals and a Jermaine Gresham touchdown reception.
Down 13–0, the Browns struck back, with Colt McCoy completing two touchdown passes to give Cleveland the lead at halftime.
Phil Dawson gave the Browns an insurance field goal, but late in the fourth, Bengals backup QB Bruce Gradkowski caught the Browns defense slow out of the huddle and hit A. J.
The Colts moved the ball well early, but had to settle for two Adam Vinatieri field goals to take a 6–0 lead.
The Browns answered with an Evan Moore touchdown reception from Colt McCoy.
The Browns faced the Miami Dolphins without their leading rusher Peyton Hillis in a Week 3 matchup.
The Browns tied the game on a touchdown pass from McCoy to Joshua Cribbs.
The Dolphins added two more field goals, and had the Browns down six points in the final minutes.