Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson saw his first game action since suffering dual Achilles tears in October 2024 and early 2025, completing 11 of 15 passes in a preseason outing against the Chicago Bears. Watson's return marked a success as he outperformed competitors Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, who both struggled with turnovers.
Watson described his performance as a "good moment for myself," noting his ability to finish the game on the field in one piece. While not spectacular, his outing was considered adequate by comparison to Sanders, who finished with a 39.6 passer rating and fumbled a snap, and Gabriel, who had a 27.1 passer rating and threw an interception.
Browns coach Todd Monken called Watson's return "awesome" and stated he "really functioned at a high level." Watson completed his first 10 of 11 passes before a fumble, though he did not throw a touchdown and committed one turnover. Following the game, Watson expressed confidence in his ability to play at a high level, attributing his performance to his two years of hard work recovering from injuries and a suspension.
Despite Watson's steady play, the quarterback competition for the starting job remains open. Monken announced that Sanders will start the next preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, playing the first half, while Watson will play the third quarter, and Gabriel will take the fourth quarter.
"I don't doubt myself in any way that I can't play at a high level," Watson stated. He acknowledged the challenges of injuries and suspension but emphasized his commitment to working his way back to form. The Browns signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022.
Sanders also struggled in his performance, fumbling a snap that cost the Browns a down, in addition to throwing an interception. Gabriel also threw an interception and struggled against opposing backups. The competition for the Browns' starting quarterback position is expected to continue through the preseason.