Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has made his first concrete move in the high-stakes quarterback competition. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Monken informed the quarterbacks in meetings on Wednesday afternoon that Deshaun Watson will start the team’s preseason opener this Saturday against the Chicago Bears in Chicago. Shedeur Sanders is slated to start the following week at home against the Buffalo Bills.
The decision gives both passers a clear opportunity to perform in live game action as the Browns evaluate who will take the Week 1 snaps in Jacksonville.
Background: The Browns’ Ongoing QB Battle
Todd Monken, hired in January 2026 after three successful seasons as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator, inherited a complex quarterback situation. Deshaun Watson is in the final year of his massive contract and is coming off a full season lost to Achilles injuries. Shedeur Sanders, a 2025 fifth-round pick and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, has steadily closed the gap throughout the offseason and training camp.
Throughout OTAs, minicamp, and the early weeks of training camp, the two have largely split first-team reps. Monken has repeatedly emphasized that he is in no rush to name a starter, preferring to install the full offense and evaluate both players under pressure before making a final call. Earlier reports indicated the coaches planned to alternate the first two preseason starts, and Schefter’s update confirms the specific order.
Watson has shown flashes of his old athleticism and experience, while Sanders has impressed with accuracy, poise, and the ability to process the new scheme quickly. Neither has fully separated himself, making the preseason games critical evaluation tools.
What the Preseason Plan Means
Starting Watson in the opener against the Bears (Saturday, August 15, 1 p.m. ET) gives the veteran the first chance to lead the first-team offense in a game setting. Sanders will then get the start at home against the Bills on August 22. Monken has previously indicated that the performance in those games, combined with the joint practice with Buffalo and the third preseason contest against the New England Patriots on August 27, will heavily influence the depth chart heading into the regular season.
This approach allows both quarterbacks equal opportunity without favoring one prematurely. It also provides valuable experience for Sanders while giving Watson a platform to reassert himself after missing the entire 2025 season.
The third preseason game against the defending AFC champions is expected to feature the player who emerges as the leader of the competition, though Monken has stressed that the official Week 1 decision will not be locked in until closer to the regular-season opener on September 13.
Key Context for Browns Fans
Watson’s contract situation and injury history create urgency for Cleveland. The organization still has significant financial commitment tied to him for 2026, but the team also drafted Sanders with an eye toward the future. Monken’s offensive system prioritizes quarterback autonomy and decision-making, traits that both players are working to demonstrate.
Early training camp reports showed Watson taking the majority of first-team reps at times, while Sanders has posted efficient completion percentages and shown mobility. The preseason starts will offer the clearest public look yet at how each handles the speed of NFL game action under Monken’s scheme.
Looking Ahead
The Browns’ preseason schedule offers a solid test: a road game against the Bears, a home date with the Bills (plus a joint practice), and a nationally televised Thursday night finale against New England. How Watson and Sanders perform in their respective starts will dominate the conversation in Cleveland over the next two weeks.
Fans will be watching closely for efficiency, decision-making under pressure, chemistry with the receivers, and command of the offense. Monken’s measured approach reflects his desire to get a full picture before committing, a stance he has maintained since the spring.
For now, the plan is clear: Deshaun Watson gets the first opportunity this Saturday in Chicago. Shedeur Sanders follows next Saturday in Cleveland. The competition remains wide open, and the next two weeks of preseason football will go a long way toward deciding the Browns’ starting quarterback for 2026.
Stay tuned for more updates as the games unfold.