Browns make stunning qb decision as Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders battle takes major turn originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition is moving from the practice field to live game action, and Deshaun Watson will get the first opportunity to make his case.
Browns coach Todd Monken informed the quarterbacks Wednesday that Watson will start Cleveland’s preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on Saturday. Shedeur Sanders will get his turn one week later, starting the Browns’ second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 22.
The decision adds another layer to one of Cleveland’s biggest training camp storylines. Watson and Sanders have alternated first-team repetitions throughout camp, with the Browns giving both quarterbacks opportunities to operate with the starting offense.
For Watson, however, Saturday represents much more than another step in a quarterback competition.
It will be his first game action since tearing his right Achilles tendon in October 2024. Watson missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing a second surgery on the Achilles in January 2025, beginning a lengthy rehabilitation process that has stretched well beyond the football field.
Now, the 30-year-old quarterback finally gets an opportunity to test his recovery under game conditions.
“I’m super excited,” Watson said Wednesday. “I think all the hard work that I’ve put in with the training staff, with my team, my personal team, to get to this stage has been tremendous for myself. So, I’m super excited for those opportunities and can’t wait for it.”
Watson’s long-awaited return is hereMonken indicated before Wednesday’s practice that Cleveland’s preseason plan could give both quarterbacks meaningful opportunities. The starter is expected to play approximately the first half, while the other quarterback would take over in the third quarter.
That makes Saturday an important evaluation point for Watson.
Since Cleveland acquired him in a blockbuster trade in March 2022, Watson’s Browns tenure has been defined more by missed games than sustained production. Suspensions and injuries have limited him to just 19 appearances, preventing Cleveland from receiving the consistency it expected when it made him the centerpiece of the offense.
His performance has also fallen short of his previous Pro Bowl-level standard. Watson has posted a 33.1 Total QBR during his time with Cleveland, a number that would rank at the bottom among qualifying quarterbacks if he had enough starts to qualify.
But the Browns aren’t evaluating the Watson of 2022 anymore.
They need to determine what he can give them in 2026.
Sanders, meanwhile, will have his own opportunity against Buffalo. Giving each quarterback a preseason start allows Cleveland to evaluate them in similar situations rather than making the competition solely about practice repetitions.
Saturday is Watson’s first chance.
Aug. 22 belongs to Sanders.
And with Cleveland searching for stability at football’s most important position, the Browns’ quarterback competition is about to get much more interesting.
More NFL news:- Ben Johnson responds to Liam Coen’s pointed Caleb Williams comment
- Lamar Jackson is already predicted to be a Hall of Fame QB for Ravens per ESPN
- Eagles' Jalen Hurts 'shouldn't have trouble' reaching Hall of Fame if he can continue to have playoff success
- Cowboys QB Dak Prescott projected by ESPN to be behind Lions QB Jared Goff for HOF chance
- Packers edge Micah Parsons already predicted to be on cusp of Hall of Fame
Leave a Comment