Watson to start Browns' preseason opener vs. Bears
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- Deshaun Watson will start the Cleveland Browns' preseason opener against the Bears in Chicago on Saturday, with Shedeur Sanders drawing the start for Game 2 at home against Buffalo on Aug. 22, per coach Todd Monken
- Watson has appeared in only 19 games since being traded to Cleveland in March 2022 due to suspension and injuries, including a torn right Achilles in October 2024 and a follow-up Achilles surgery in January 2025 that kept him out all of 2025
- Watson's 33.1 Total QBR since arriving in Cleveland would rank last among qualifying quarterbacks if he had enough starts to qualify, per the source
- Sanders, the 144th pick in the 2025 NFL draft, went 3-4 across the final seven games of his rookie season with 7 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and an 18.9 QBR — fifth-lowest among 696 qualifying QBs since 2006
- Watson and Sanders have been alternating first-team practice reps in the Browns' quarterback competition, and Monken said he hopes to play the starter for one full half while the other QB takes the third quarter
- Coaches have praised Sanders' pre-snap and post-snap development dating back to the offseason program, even as his rookie counting stats lagged
- Monken informed both quarterbacks of his preseason plan after practice Wednesday
Why it matters: Saturday's preseason opener is effectively a final audition for Watson, who has barely played since 2022 and carries a last-place qualifying QBR — meaning the Browns' 2026 starter likely hinges on whether he can stay healthy and post competent tape. Sanders, whose rookie efficiency numbers ranked among the worst of the QBR era, gets a separate showcase in Game 2 to validate the developmental leap coaches have praised.
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