The NFL preseason often struggles to captivate audiences. While the return of football sparks initial excitement, this quickly wanes as starting players typically see limited action, leaving the majority of game time to roster hopefuls who may not make the final cut. However, the Cleveland Browns are defying this trend by offering a compelling reason to tune into their initial two exhibition matchups.
On Wednesday afternoon, head coach Todd Monken informed his quarterbacks of a strategic plan: Deshaun Watson is slated to start the Browns' preseason opener this Saturday against the Chicago Bears. Following this, Shedeur Sanders will take the helm for the team's second preseason contest, scheduled at home against the Buffalo Bills on August 22.
Monken indicated that both Watson and Sanders are expected to play roughly a half each in their designated starting games, with their roles reversed in the subsequent week's matchup.
Throughout the offseason, Cleveland has approached its quarterback position as a legitimate competition. Monken has reinforced this philosophy with his practice management, ensuring Watson and Sanders have alternated days working with the first-team offense during training camp, building upon opportunities they received with the starters in the spring.
This preseason period marks the first opportunity for outside observers to truly evaluate the progression of this quarterback battle in live game scenarios.
A Critical Return for Deshaun Watson
Watson is set to take the initial snaps, and his performance against Chicago carries significant weight, even if Monken refrains from naming a definitive QB1 just yet. The veteran quarterback has not participated in an NFL game since sustaining an Achilles rupture in October 2024. A subsequent re-rupture required a second surgical procedure, leading him to miss the entirety of the previous season.
Witnessing Watson engage in an actual play against an opposing defense will undoubtedly draw more attention than typical August exhibition games. The Browns are not merely seeking to confirm Watson's ability to execute Monken's offensive scheme; they need to ascertain if he retains the qualities of an NFL starting quarterback after nearly two years away from competition. Clearly, he is not the same player the organization invested three first-round draft picks to acquire in March 2022.
Watson previously led the NFL in passing yards in 2020 before sitting out the entire 2021 season after requesting a trade. During this period, he faced dozens of accusations of sexual misconduct from massage therapists, which significantly complicated his standing in Houston. The final two civil lawsuits related to these allegations were dismissed earlier this year.
Despite these challenges, the Browns proceeded with the trade for Watson, a move considered by some to be among the most impactful in NFL history. The 30-year-old quarterback has made 19 starts over the past four seasons, compiling a 9-10 record.
Cleveland's objective is not for Watson to revert to the form that once placed him among the league's elite quarterbacks. Rather, they require him to demonstrate consistent competence as a signal-caller.
Shedeur Sanders' Opportunity to Impress
On the other side of the competition is 24-year-old Shedeur Sanders, who joined the Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Notably, Sanders was not the first quarterback selected by the team in that draft class; Dillon Gabriel was picked in the third round. Gabriel remains on the roster and is technically involved in the starting competition, though he appears to be behind Watson and Sanders. The team also selected Taylen Green in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Unlike Watson, Sanders boasts recent game experience. As a rookie, the second-year quarterback appeared in eight games, starting seven, where he accumulated 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and ten interceptions. His tenure showcased moments of significant promise, including a 364-yard, three-touchdown outing against Tennessee. However, these were interspersed with the typical errors expected from a young quarterback adapting to the professional league.
This dynamic makes the quarterback battle particularly compelling. Sanders holds the status of technically being the incumbent, and he arrives with considerable fanfare, partly due to his confident demeanor and his renowned last name. Having already started meaningful NFL games, he displayed enough potential to pique the Browns' interest in his future. He has now completed a full offseason under the new head coach, positioning him to strongly advocate for his case.
Real Stakes in Preseason Play
Often, quarterback 'competitions' feature an obvious frontrunner, with teams merely going through the motions. However, this situation genuinely feels like a decisive contest for the starting role. Monken's decision to grant Watson and Sanders individual preseason starts clearly indicates his desire to observe both players in live game action with the first-team offense.
Crucially, Cleveland has introduced an element frequently absent from August football: stakes that genuinely matter to the audience.
The outcome of the Browns-Bears game on Saturday will likely be forgotten quickly. Yet, if Watson performs sharply, demonstrates good mobility, and delivers accurate deep passes, that will carry significant implications. Conversely, if he appears hesitant or shows rust after his prolonged absence, that observation will be equally meaningful.
The same principle applies to Sanders' performance against Buffalo. He will play before a home crowd already familiar with him, and every successful throw will fuel speculation that he should be the Browns' starter both now and in the future. Every poor decision, however, will serve as a reminder of the inconsistent nature of his rookie season.
Monken is not obligated to name a regular-season starter immediately after these two games. In fact, it might be prudent for him to delay such a decision unless one player delivers an unequivocally dominant performance.
Cleveland still has a third preseason game scheduled against New England on August 27, allowing for additional evaluation before the regular season commences. Should Monken wish to add another layer of intrigue, he could even give Gabriel a start in that final contest.
For the immediate future, Watson will face Chicago, and Sanders will challenge Buffalo. For two consecutive Saturdays, the Cleveland Browns' quarterback competition is poised to become one of the most engaging narratives of the entire NFL preseason.
