The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition is entering an important stretch, with the next few days potentially shaping the team’s Week 1 decision.
Shedeur Sanders made progress during OTAs and minicamp and managed to close some of the gap on Deshaun Watson. However, Watson’s efficient showing in the preseason opener has given the veteran an early advantage.
Shedeur Sanders’ QB1 Hopes Take a Hit
NFL insider Jeremy Fowler believes Watson is currently in a strong position to win the starting job under head coach Todd Monken. That puts added pressure on Sanders to make the most of his opportunity in the second preseason game.
“He (Watson) seems well-positioned right now. I would caution, though, that the next six to seven days in Cleveland is huge, because they’ve got a slate of practices and they have a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills,” Fowler said.
“He seems well positioned right now,” – @JFowlerESPN on Deshaun Watson in the Browns QB battle.
Fowler said he anticipates the Browns naming a starting QB after the 2nd preseason game. pic.twitter.com/Gpd1tnwlav
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 16, 2026
Fowler added that Sanders will have an important opportunity to close the gap: “And then you’ve got the second preseason game where Shedeur Sanders will be the starter. He’ll get his first half of action to try to stake his claim.”
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He believes the Browns could make their final decision shortly after that game, once Monken and his coaching staff evaluate both quarterbacks.
Watson played the entire first half of Cleveland’s 34-10 preseason loss to the Chicago Bears and looked sharp for much of his time on the field.
He completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards, finishing with a 73.3% completion rate, no touchdowns, and no interceptions. He averaged 8.4 yards per attempt and displayed solid movement inside the pocket.
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Watson helped put together Cleveland’s only two scoring drives. He connected with Denzel Boston for 15 yards during a field-goal drive, while another possession ended with rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion scoring on a 14-yard end-around.
His biggest play came on a 43-yard screen pass to running back Dylan Sampson, which accounted for more than a third of his total passing yards.
Still, there were some concerns with Watson’s performance. He attempted just one pass of more than 10 yards and relied heavily on short throws and screens. He also lost a fumble on a strip-sack during a fourth-and-2 attempt and struggled to generate offense on a late second-quarter possession.
Meanwhile, Sanders entered the game in the third quarter and faced Chicago’s second- and third-string defense. He completed 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards and threw one interception. He did show off his arm strength with a 35-yard completion to Luke Floriea, but the turnover early in the fourth quarter took some of the shine off his performance.
Sanders is set to start against Buffalo and play the first half with the starters, giving him a key chance to close the gap on Watson. A strong outing could keep the QB1 battle alive, while another shaky performance may push Watson firmly into the Week 1 starting role.
