| 1989 Cleveland Browns season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Art Modell |
| General manager | Ernie Accorsi |
| Head coach | Bud Carson |
| Home field | Cleveland Municipal Stadium |
| Local radio | WWWE · WDOK |
| Results | |
| Record | 9–6–1 |
| Division place | 1st AFC Central |
| Playoff finish | Won Divisional Playoffs (vs. Bills) 34–30 Lost AFC Championship[a] (at Broncos) 21–37 |
| Pro Bowlers | WR Webster Slaughter DT Michael Dean Perry OLB Clay Matthews Jr. MLB Mike Johnson CB Frank Minnifield |
The 1989 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 40th season with the National Football League.
It was the Browns' first season with head coach Bud Carson, who had been the defensive coordinator of the New York Jets the previous season. The Browns finished with a 9–6–1 record, good enough for a AFC Central Division title. After a 34–30 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Playoffs, the Browns reached their third AFC Championship game in four seasons,[b] and for the third time lost to the Denver Broncos. After two close contests, this time Denver won by a comfortable margin of 37–21.
It would be the Browns' fifth consecutive season making the playoffs, but it would prove their last until 1994. The team has not won a division title since this season, the longest active drought in the NFL. As of 2023, this is their most recent appearance in the AFC Championship game.
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