Browns and Falcons Set Preseason Quarterbacks as Bears Coach Outlines Ambitious Targets
Cleveland and Atlanta designate starters for exhibition matches, while Chicago’s new head coach sets high expectations for offensive performance.
The Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons have formally announced their starting quarterbacks for the opening week of the National Football League preseason, marking a pivotal moment in roster evaluation ahead of the regular season. Cleveland head coach Todd Monken confirmed that Deshaun Watson will start the exhibition match against the Chicago Bears on August 15, with Shedeur Sanders scheduled to begin the subsequent contest against the Buffalo Bills on August 22.
Monken clarified that both quarterbacks are expected to play approximately one half in the opener against Chicago, allowing each to manage a two-minute drill scenario. This structure follows a training camp where Watson and Sanders alternated first-team reps, with the coaching staff aiming to provide limited but meaningful game action to assess the roster. Watson, making his first appearance since sustaining a right Achilles tear, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to demonstrate his preparation and work with the training staff.
In the NFC South, Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski named Tua Tagovailoa as the starter for the Friday night fixture against the Denver Broncos. However, Stefanski was careful to distinguish this designation from a regular season decision, stating that naming Tagovailoa for the preseason opener does not confirm him as the starter for the regular season. The Falcons are currently integrating a new system, with most starters expected to play only one series before Cooper Rush and Jack Strand take over.
The Falcons’ quarterback room also includes Michael Penix Jr., who remains unavailable for full team drills as he continues rehabilitation from an ACL tear. Stefanski emphasised that the team is still in the early stages of preparation, noting that while the players are learning the playbook, the calendar has not yet reached the point where a definitive starter is named for the regular season.
Meanwhile, in the NFC North, Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has outlined ambitious offensive scoring goals ahead of the exhibition games. As a second-year head coach, Johnson is setting lofty expectations for the team’s performance, signalling a strategic shift in how the offence will approach the upcoming preseason series. These announcements collectively highlight the complex decision-making processes and strategic evaluations taking place across the league as teams finalise their preparations.
