The Cleveland Browns have named Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback for their preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, with Shedeur Sanders slated to start the following week against the Buffalo Bills in Cleveland. Head coach Todd Monken confirmed the decision Wednesday, emphasizing that both quarterbacks will receive significant playing time during the games.
Watson will play the first half of the Bears game, while Sanders will start the second half. The roles will reverse the following week, with Sanders starting against the Bills and Watson playing the second half. Monken reiterated that the competition for the starting job remains open, stating that both players will have opportunities to showcase their abilities in live action.
Watson’s Return to Game Action
Watson, who has not played in an NFL game since October 2024 due to a ruptured Achilles tendon and subsequent surgeries, addressed the media ahead of Wednesday’s practice. "I'm super excited," Watson said. "All the hard work that I put in with the training staff, with my team, my personal team, to get to this stage has been tremendous for me. So, I'm super excited for those opportunities and can't wait for it."
Monken has maintained an open competition throughout training camp, with both Watson and Sanders alternating between first- and second-team offenses. The preseason games will provide the first live-action evaluation of Watson’s readiness since his injuries, as well as Sanders’ progress after an up-and-down rookie season.
Coach Monken’s Stance on the Competition
Monken has avoided naming a definitive starter, instead framing the situation as an ongoing evaluation. "I would never put limitations on a player," Monken said. "I'm not gonna say he can't until I see it. Til we see it, right? I've seen a lot of really good things over the course of four or five months I've been here."
He added that Watson’s past performance with the Houston Texans—where he earned three Pro Bowl selections and led the league in passing yards in 2020—will not be assumed to carry over. "If he thinks he can't play like that, that's on him," Monken explained. "I think he's done a lot of really good things athletically, making plays, that we're gonna get a chance to see."
Sanders’ Response to Media Scrutiny
Sanders, who started seven games for the Browns last season and finished with a 3-4 record, recently addressed media coverage of the quarterback competition. "I just don't really appreciate sometimes, if things happen and y'all just jump on the coach like he's tripping or something, I don't really like that, because it just creates extra," Sanders said. "I hope y'all are here to want to win and be a team and be a franchise."
He emphasized the team’s focus on unity, stating, "We're in our own cocoon, we're a team. So anything outside of that don't really affect us in the building."
What’s Next for the Browns
The preseason games will serve as critical evaluations for both quarterbacks, with Monken’s staff closely monitoring their performance in live competition. Watson’s ability to return to his pre-injury form and Sanders’ consistency will be key factors in determining the Week 1 starter. Monken has not indicated a preference, leaving the door open for either player to emerge as the primary option for the regular season opener.