Browns QB carousel continues as Watson and Sanders leave battle unresolved
Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders both showed flashes and flaws in a 34-10 loss, with the starting role still up for grabs ahead of the next preseason match.
The Cleveland Browns’ preseason opener against the Chicago Bears concluded with a 34-10 defeat, yet the primary narrative remains the unresolved competition for the starting quarterback role. Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders shared the spotlight, offering a fragmented view of the franchise’s offensive future as the team navigates a prolonged period of uncertainty at the most critical position.
Watson, who has not played in a regular-season game since October 2024 due to torn Achilles tendons, started the first half and completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards. He orchestrated a 10-play, 81-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown for rookie KC Concepcion, demonstrating some offensive rhythm before his performance was derailed. The half ended poorly when Bears pass rusher Jamree Kromah stripped the ball from Watson during his throwing motion, leading to a fumble that shifted momentum before the break.
Sanders entered in the second half and initially appeared to gain traction with a 24-yard play-action gain and a 35-yard completion on third-and-13. However, his outing was short-lived and ultimately detrimental to his standing. Sanders threw an interception to Beanie Bishop Jr. on his third drive, a critical error that capped a performance which had otherwise shown promise in his first drive.
The competition also included third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, who completed five of eight passes for 23 yards but also threw an interception. Gabriel has largely become an afterthought in the race, leaving Watson and Sanders as the primary contenders. Despite Watson’s fumble, he was the only quarterback to avoid an interception, leading to a perception among observers that he holds a slight edge heading into the next phase of preparation.
With the quarterback battle still undecided, the Browns will face the Buffalo Bills in their second preseason game next Saturday. Sanders is scheduled to start that contest, providing a significant opportunity to reset his standing. For a franchise that has cycled through multiple signal-callers, the lack of a clear winner after this opener underscores the persistent governance challenges facing the team’s offensive strategy.
