NFL Preseason: Browns’ Quarterback Competition Sparks Interest

The NFL preseason can be quite a mixed bag. Fans enjoy the return of football, yet it often turns into a showcase for players fighting for roster spots, usually resulting in limited appearances from starters.

However, the Cleveland Browns have given fans a couple of compelling reasons to tune in for their early preseason games.

Excitement Over First-Round Pick’s Debut

Head coach Todd Monken announced on Wednesday that Deshaun Watson will take the field as the starting quarterback for the Browns in their first preseason game against the Bears on Saturday in Chicago. Furthermore, Shedeur Sanders is slated to start in the second preseason game at home against the Buffalo Bills on August 22.

Monken shared his strategy, indicating that both Watson and Sanders would play about half of the game against the Bears, then switch playing order for their matchup against the Bills.

This year, Cleveland’s approach to the quarterback position has felt different—more competitive. Throughout the offseason, both Watson and Sanders received starting opportunities and alternated in the first-team offense during training camp.

Now, as we dive into the preseason, this competition takes on a level of significance that is hard to ignore.

Watson’s Comeback

Watson’s first start against Chicago is noteworthy, especially since Monken isn’t rushing to label anyone as the clear starting quarterback. After all, Watson hasn’t played a game since suffering a torn Achilles tendon in October 2024, which was compounded by a second surgery due to a re-rupture. Last season, he didn’t step onto the field at all.

Given this backdrop, seeing Watson face opposing defenses will be much more intriguing than your average preseason opener.

The Browns need more than just confirmation that Watson can navigate Monken’s offense; they must determine whether he can still perform at a starting quarterback level after nearly two years off. It’s a far cry from the player they traded three first-round picks for back in March 2022.

While Watson led the NFL in passing yards in 2020, his subsequent seasons have been riddled with challenges, including off-field controversies in Houston. It’s worth noting that the last two civil lawsuits regarding those incidents were dismissed earlier this year.

One might argue that the Browns could have opted to trade Watson. Over the past four seasons, he has only started 19 games, with a record of 9-10.

An Uncertain Future for Sanders

On the other hand, there’s Sanders, a fifth-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft. Surprisingly, he wasn’t the first quarterback chosen by the Browns in that draft—that honor went to Dillon Gabriel in the third round. However, Gabriel’s chances of starting seem slim compared to Watson and Sanders, especially with Taylen Green also drafted in the sixth round of the 2026 Draft.

What sets Sanders apart is his up-to-date game experience. In his rookie season, he started in seven of the eight games he played, throwing for 1,400 yards, with seven touchdowns and ten interceptions. His performance had its highs—like a notable 364-yard game against Tennessee—but it also contained the usual struggles that young quarterbacks face.

This makes the ongoing quarterback race particularly fascinating. Although Sanders is technically the returning player, his confidence—paired with the notoriety of his last name—has created significant buzz. Having participated in meaningful games and undergone a full offseason under a new coaching staff, he’s poised to make his case.

Typically, such competitions yield clear frontrunners, but this one feels genuinely contested. By giving both Watson and Sanders starting roles in preseason, Monken indicates a desire to observe both players in action against the first-team offense.

Most importantly, Cleveland has infused this usually casual August football with real stakes that fans care about.

Looking Ahead

While no one will likely remember the outcome of Saturday’s game against the Bears, its significance stems from how Watson performs. If he looks sharp on the field, that’s one thing—but an off performance might not be surprising given his time away.

The same goes for Sanders’ game against the Bills. For the home crowd familiar with him, any notable throws will only bolster the belief that he deserves the starting spot now and in the future. Conversely, any mistakes he makes could remind everyone why his rookie year was a rollercoaster ride.

Monken doesn’t need to name a regular-season starter right after these games; in fact, he probably shouldn’t unless one performance stands out decisively.

With a third preseason game scheduled against New England on August 27, there’s still time for evaluation before the real action begins. If Monken does want to see another player, he has the option of starting Gabriel in that game.

For now, Watson starts against Chicago, Sanders faces Buffalo, and Cleveland’s quarterback competition is shaping up to be one of the more captivating storylines of the NFL preseason.