The Cleveland Browns will rotate their starting quarterbacks between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders for their first two preseason games, with head coach Todd Monken naming Watson the starter for Saturday's opener against the Chicago Bears. Sanders, a second-year player, is slated to start the following week's game at home against the Buffalo Bills.
Monken emphasized that the competition for the starting quarterback position is ongoing and has not yet been decided. His initial plan was to give each quarterback a start in separate preseason contests. Throughout training camp, Watson and Sanders have alternated taking first-team reps, with Watson receiving all No. 1 opportunities last Saturday.
Both quarterbacks are expected to see playing time in the game against the Bears. Watson is scheduled to play the first half, with Sanders taking over in the third quarter. A similar split is anticipated for the second preseason game.
Watson has not played in a game since tearing his right Achilles in October 2024, missing the entire 2025 season due to surgery and recovery. "My job is to just keep trying to win the day, get better a little bit each time," Watson said, according to The Athletic. "Can't rush anything. Just get out there and let the football things I've been doing my whole life take care of themselves."
Sanders, who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft despite earlier projections as a first-round pick, earned the starting job midway through last season. He ultimately started over Dillon Gabriel and finished with a 3-5 record across eight appearances, throwing for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and ten interceptions.