Following his strong preseason opener, Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson should be named starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders.
Despite their 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears in the 2026 preseason opener, the Cleveland Browns had a few positives. It was the first time new head coach Todd Monken would see both quarterbacks competing for the starting job, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, in game action. It would also be Watson’s first game action in almost two years, as off-the-field issues and injuries have kept the veteran away.
Nevertheless, it would be Watson who would lead the Browns to each of their scoring drives in last Thursday’s defeat. The 30-year-old signal caller is entering the final year of his much-maligned five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal. Watson’s time in Cleveland has been a disaster. It’s a major reason why former head coach Kevin Stefanski lost his job, with GM Andrew Berry hiring Monken away from the Baltimore Ravens to replace him.
Last season, Stefanski had Sanders, fellow 2025 draftee Dillon Gabriel, plus veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, at his disposal when training camp began. Watson was out for the season due to an Achilles injury suffered during the 2024 campaign. Pickett, acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles via trade, was dealt to the Las Vegas Raiders before the season. Flacco was the season-opening starter at quarterback but was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals after Week 5.
Gabriel started the next few games, but a concussion sustained in the Browns’ Week 11 loss to the Ravens led to Sanders taking over under center. The ex-Colorado standout started the rest of the season, showing flashes of promise that led to a Pro Bowl nod. However, with Monken looking to turn Cleveland around in his first season, would working with Watson as the starter give the Browns a higher ceiling? Based on Thursday’s performances, that could be the case.
Browns need a strong start under new head coach Todd Monken
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Browns’ schedule has a difficult first few weeks. A two-week road trip down to Florida to play the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers opens the season. Then a return home for three of the next four weeks, with tilts against the Carolina Panthers and two AFC North rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, sandwiched around a road trip to New Jersey to play the New York Jets. A couple of those games are certainly winnable, so seeing what Watson can do against those tougher opponents. Especially if he continues to improve in practice and preseason games.
The Browns have home games against a pair of AFC East foes, the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots, to close out Monken’s first preseason. Cleveland doesn’t get a bye until Week 11, so getting through a little over half of their regular season slate should make the second half smoother. If the Browns can enter that off week hovering around .500, then Monken’s first season in Cleveland should be considered a success. Especially if Watson starts to play more and more like his former Pro Bowl self.
Despite their 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears in the 2026 preseason opener, the Cleveland Browns had a few positives. It was the first time new head coach Todd Monken would see both quarterbacks competing for the starting job, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, in game action.
