The Cleveland Browns have made their quarterback plans for the preseason opener, but the decision has hardly settled the biggest question on the roster. Deshaun Watson will get the first chance to run the offense against the Chicago Bears, while Shedeur Sanders waits for his opportunity.
The arrangement is part of a planned evaluation rather than a clear decision on the Browns’ eventual starter. With both quarterbacks facing very different questions, Cleveland has plenty to learn before naming its QB1.
Why Deshaun Watson Starts Ahead of Shedeur Sanders
Sanders remains fully involved in Cleveland’s quarterback competition despite not starting the preseason opener. Head coach Todd Monken has designed an alternating plan that gives both quarterbacks a chance to work with the first-team offense in live action.
Watson will start against Chicago and handle the first half, while Sanders is scheduled to enter in the third quarter. The roles will flip in Week 2, when Sanders is expected to start against the Buffalo Bills on August 22.
“We’re going to see both of them,” Monken said on Wednesday to the media. “One’s going to start this week, and one’s going to start next week, and we’re going to play them about a half each.
“I’d like to see a quarterback play a half and get a two-minute, we’re going to do everything we can to get a two-minute and for the half, and we’re going to try to do the exact same thing the next week.”
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Watson’s opening assignment has an obvious purpose. The veteran has not played in an NFL game since suffering a torn Achilles in October 2024, an injury compounded by a re-tear and second surgery in January 2025. After two surgeries and a lengthy recovery, Cleveland needs to see how Watson looks when the game becomes live again.
The Browns also have a lot invested in determining whether Watson can return to his previous level. He is entering the final year of his fully guaranteed $230 million contract, making his return one of the team’s biggest decisions heading into the regular season.
Sanders, meanwhile, enters the competition after a difficult rookie season, which landed him in the 37th position, the second-worst in the league on PFN’s NFL QB Impact Metric. He appeared in eight games and made seven starts in 2025, throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also took 23 sacks and posted a 68.1 passer rating.
This background explains why Cleveland is evaluating more than just Sanders’ arm talent. Sanders has impressed coaches with his ability to make difficult throws, but Monken’s offense demands quick reads, precise pre-snap communication, and disciplined decisions.
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The Browns also want their quarterbacks to limit negative plays. Sanders has shown a willingness to chase explosive plays, but Cleveland needs him to know when the safer option is the better decision.
That makes the Chicago game particularly useful for the coaching staff. Watson gets the first extended look, while Sanders receives a defined window to show how much he has developed.
The competition will then move to a more demanding stage. Cleveland is scheduled to hold joint practices with Buffalo before Sanders starts the second preseason game, giving both quarterbacks another chance to operate against unfamiliar defensive looks.
Dillon Gabriel has also performed well during camp, giving Cleveland another quarterback to consider. However, the central question remains: Watson vs. Sanders.
For now, Cleveland is not choosing a winner. It is creating a side-by-side test and giving both quarterbacks a chance to make the decision harder.
