The Cleveland Browns will use their preseason games to evaluate quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, with head coach Todd Monken announcing both will receive starting assignments. Watson is slated to start the Browns' preseason opener on Saturday in Chicago against the Bears, followed by Sanders starting the second preseason game at home against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 22.
Monken intends for Watson and Sanders to each play approximately a half in the first game, then reverse roles for the second exhibition contest. This approach reflects the team's offseason strategy of treating the quarterback position as an open competition, with Watson and Sanders alternating reps with the first-team offense during training camp and spring practices.
Watson's start against the Bears marks his first game action since rupturing his Achilles tendon in October 2024, an injury that required a second surgery and sidelined him for the entire past season. The Browns traded three first-round picks for Watson in March 2022, and his performance in these preseason games will be crucial in assessing his readiness to operate the team's offense after nearly two years away from competition. While he led the NFL in passing yards in 2020, his recent NFL record stands at 9-10 over 19 starts in the last four seasons. The final civil lawsuits related to sexual misconduct allegations, which complicated his tenure in Houston, were dismissed earlier this year.
Sanders, a 24-year-old second-year player, was selected by the Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He appeared in eight games as a rookie, starting seven, and recorded 1,400 passing yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Despite flashes of potential, his rookie season was marked by inconsistency. The team also drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Taylen Green in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding to the quarterback depth.
Unlike Watson, Sanders has recent game experience, and his opportunity to start in these preseason games provides a platform to further showcase his development under Monken's new coaching staff. The stakes in these exhibition games are elevated by the genuine competition for the starting role, offering a clearer evaluation of both quarterbacks than typically seen in preseason football.
Watson's outing against Chicago will be scrutinized for his physical ability and decision-making after his lengthy layoff. Similarly, Sanders' performance in front of the home crowd in Cleveland will be a key indicator of his progress and viability as the team's future starter. The Browns have a third preseason game against New England on Aug. 27, leaving room for continued evaluation before the regular season begins.