The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition moved from the practice field to the game field on Saturday when they played the Chicago Bears in their first preseason game.
Deshaun Watson started the game for the Browns, and Sanders replaced him at halftime. It was Watson’s first game since 2024, and he played quite well given the circumstances. As for Sanders, as is always the case, he made some big plays along with noticeable errors.
Shedeur Sanders Continues To Trail Deshaun Watson in QB1 Battle
Browns Head coach Todd Monken mapped out the preseason rotation earlier in the week, announcing that Watson would start Saturday’s game while Sanders would enter at the beginning of the third quarter. The plan reverses next week against the Buffalo Bills, with Sanders getting the start and Watson coming in during the second half.
Watson finished the first half 11-of-15 for 126 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions while leading two scoring drives. He added four yards on three carries and was also strip-sacked.
For a quarterback who hadn’t played in nearly two years following back-to-back Achilles surgeries, his performance was quietly encouraging.
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As for Sanders, he didn’t finish the game as he was replaced by Dillon Gabriel in the fourth quarter. During his limited game time, he went 6-of-11 for 79 yards and an interception.
He made a brilliant 35-yard throw to wideout Luke Floriea under pressure, and that was the highlight of his day.
Shedeur Sanders 35-yarder under pressurepic.twitter.com/mVabvYKA5d
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) August 15, 2026
Unfortunately, one Sanders overthrew one pass, and it was intercepted. Moreover, on his first drive, the former Colorado star also fumbled a snap, but the running back recovered it to avoid a turnover.
Beanie Bishop Jr. gets the INT
CLEvsCHI on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/c8uNrWPLAr— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2026
Saturday’s game was crucial for both quarterbacks, and Watson clearly delivered the better performance. Sanders now faces increased pressure heading into next week’s start against the Bills, where he’ll need to demonstrate growth in areas that plagued him during his rookie year.
Last season, Sanders completed just 56.6% of his passes with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions across eight appearances, earning a PFN QB Impact Score of 63.0, which ranked second-worst in the league.
Watson’s fully guaranteed $230 million contract and decade of NFL experience give him a big edge in a competition that Monken has called tight throughout camp. Unless Sanders can outperform that gap convincingly in next Saturday’s start, Watson looks poised to win the QB1 job.
