Both Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders produced some good and some bad during their respective drives for the Browns on Saturday, with Cleveland’s preseason opener doubling as an audition for its ongoing quarterback competition.
Watson, the controversial quarterback logging his first snaps in a game since tearing his Achilles in 2024, got the first-half reps and went 11-for-15 with 126 yards and a turnover before Sanders followed — and completed 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards with a turnover while playing the third quarter and the opening 80 seconds of the final frame.
Dillon Gabriel then took the snaps in the fourth quarter of the Browns’ 34-10 loss to the Bears in Chicago.
The Browns were actually tied with Chicago at halftime, as Watson and the Cleveland offense went three-and-out on the opening possession before consecutive scoring drives.
During the first one, as the Browns drove for a field goal, Watson, in the final year of a brutal $230 million deal, completed three consecutive passes to help Cleveland overcome a tripping penalty and convert a first down.
The drive stalled after reaching the Bears’ 37-yard line, though, and forced the Browns to settle for three points.
Then, wideout KC Concepcion rushed for a 14-yard touchdown to cap a 10-play, 85-yard drive, but Watson’s day ended on a sour note with a fumble while getting sacked and two punts to end the half.
“He was having fun today,” Browns head coach Todd Monken said, “and that is so cool. I thought he really functioned at a high level. … It was fun watching him play and watching us put the next step forward and see where we’re at.”
When Sanders took over, he helped the Browns advance to the Chicago 5-yard line during his first drive, but the offense couldn’t convert a fourth-and-1 — turning it over on downs.
Sanders’ next drive was a three-and-out, and his final possession of the afternoon ended when the Bears intercepted his pass when he overthrew a receiver just over a minute into the fourth quarter.
And with the Browns using their first two preseason games for their quarterback competition, Sanders will start next week’s game against the Bills and play the first half, according to ESPN.
Both Sanders and Watson will split first-team reps during Cleveland’s joint practices with the Bills.
