NFL: Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears
Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The Cleveland Browns will take part in their second preseason game of the exhibition slate on Saturday afternoon against the Buffalo Bills and Shedeur Sanders is getting the start over his competitor for the starting quarterback job, Deshaun Watson.
The Browns made the announcement during the week, and that remains the plan ahead of kickoff on Saturday, which is at 1 p.m. ET.
Here’s a look at why the Browns made this decision.
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Why Shedeur Sanders is starting over Deshaun Watson
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson take part in a drill on the first day of minicamp at
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson take part in a drill on the first day of minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 9, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes, Shedeur Sanders’ start today is a “crucial data point in the QB battle” with Deshaun Watson.
After Watson started last week’s game, the Browns now want to give Sanders his shot with the ones to show he deserves to be the starter come Week 1.
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The two signal-callers have rotated throughout training camp, but one appears to be clearly ahead of the other based on observations through training camp and preseason Week 1.
Who is favorite for Browns’ starting QB job?
NFL: Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
By all accounts, it’s Deshaun Watson who is in the lead for the starting quarterback job in Cleveland, as he has been the more impressive one in training camp and the preseason.
“(Watson) has some momentum, not all of the momentum, but he has had a good last week of practice, so he took that momentum into the game,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on SportsCenter. “So he seems well positioned right now.”
In preseason Week 1, Watson completed 11-of-15 passes for 126 yards while Sanders struggled to the tune of 6-of-11 for 79 yards and one interception.
Despite that, we would not say Watson is completely cemented as the starter quite yet, but he could close the deal with another strong showing on Saturday.
Deshaun Watson’s leash could be short
NFL: Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) prepares to run a play against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Even if Watson secures the starting job, it may not be long before he gets benched.
After all, Watson has declined significantly since joining the Browns, and Cleveland is expected to do a lot of losing this season as the team rebuilds.
If things go south as expected, the Browns would be wise to hand the ball to Sanders to see what he can do ahead of an offseason in which the NFL Draft will be loaded with quarterbacks.
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Truth be told, the Browns really should start Sanders over Watson from the jump this season because we already know what Watson is, and it isn’t any good.
But this is the path the Browns have chosen to take, and it’s a path that will likely see Sanders starting at some point in 2026.