The Cleveland Browns have settled their first two preseason quarterback assignments, with Deshaun Watson set to start against the Bears in Chicago on Aug. 15 and Shedeur Sanders to get the nod against the Bills on Aug. 22. It is the clearest sign yet that the Browns intend to use the opening weeks of preseason to judge both quarterbacks in live action.
On Wednesday, Todd Monken named Watson the starter for the preseason opener and Sanders the starter for the second game, while making it clear the competition is still open. The Browns have been running a quarterback battle throughout training camp, and the preseason is now the next stage of that evaluation.
Monken keeps the competition alive
Monken did not frame the decision as a verdict on the battle. He said, “I have my reasons for how it's going to go, and it's still a competition,” which is exactly the right message at this point. The Browns need information, not headlines, and the preseason schedule gives them a chance to compare both quarterbacks in similar situations.
He also explained the broader plan: “We're excited to watch guys practice today, let alone on Saturday, and then next week against Buffalo, and we'll get a chance to see them both. Every week we'll assess it.” That matters because the Browns are not just looking for one strong outing. They want to see how each quarterback handles a start, how the game unfolds around him, and how the backup work looks when the roles are reversed the following week.
Why the first two games matter
Over the first eight days of training camp, Watson and Sanders alternated reps with the first team each day, which underlines how closely matched the evaluation has been so far. Watson took first-team reps on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 before most recently doing so again on Aug. 11, suggesting the Browns have been rotating the picture rather than locking into one answer.
Monken said both quarterbacks are likely to play a half in the first preseason game and also get a two-minute situation, which means the Browns should come away with a meaningful sample even before the Aug. 22 meeting with Buffalo. That is important because a preseason drive is not the same as a regular-season possession, but it still gives coaches a chance to see command, timing and decision-making under pressure.
Watson, for his part, said his comfort level in the offense has increased during training camp. He has also sounded upbeat about the opportunity, saying, “I'm super excited,” and adding that the work he has done with the training staff and his own team has put him in a strong place for this stage.
Watson says he is in a good spot
Watson also described his approach in simple terms: “My job every day is what I live by. I just keep trying to win the day.” That is a measured response from a quarterback who knows the process is still unfolding. The Browns are not asking him to win the job in one night; they are asking him to show he can operate the offense consistently.
There has already been some up-and-down form in camp. Mike Bajakian said Watson threw some interceptions early, but has done a good job of protecting the football more recently, including a string of three or four practices with no picks. Bajakian also pointed to the sharper version of Watson, saying that on his good days he has been decisive, with his anticipation on point and the ball coming out on time.
That is the standard Watson has to meet now. The Browns know what the preseason opener against the Bears will tell them, and they know Sanders will get his turn against the Bills a week later. In a competition that has stayed close through camp, the next two games are designed to bring clarity.
