BEREA, OHIO — Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards during his time on the field. He also rushed three times for four yards and took one sack while losing a fumble. The Browns scored 10 points while Watson was in the game. His longest completion was a 43-yard screen pass to Dylan Sampson.

Sanders entered the game in the third quarter and played three series. Sanders completed 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards with one interception. Beanie Bishop Jr. intercepted Sanders during his stint.

Dillon Gabriel entered the game after Sanders' interception and completed the game for the Browns, finishing 5 of 8 passes for 23 yards with one interception. The Cleveland Browns lost to the Chicago Bears 34-10 in the preseason opener.

Todd Monken is in his first year as head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Kevin Stefanski was fired as head coach prior to Monken's hiring. Monken acknowledged after the game that "there's a lot to clean up." He said, "It was awesome." Monken added, "It was so cool to watch him play." He noted, "I get all of the frustration — fans, himself." Monken stated, "But for him to come back and work as he did is an unbelievable credit to him."

Sanders will start the first half of the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Watson is scheduled to play the third quarter of the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. The Cleveland Browns will hold joint practices with the Buffalo Bills prior to the second preseason game.

Monken stated that Sanders and Watson will each receive five snaps with the first-team offense during the joint practice with the Buffalo Bills. Monken said, "They’re each going to get five and five with the ones, and they’re all going to get it." He added, "But what plays they get, I really don’t have time to look at exactly what the plays are." He said, "You’ve got to be able to go do it." He stated, "But I’m excited to see them play." He said, "I think, individually and then collectively." He noted, "I think the players would look at it as an opportunity to see where they’re at individually, whereas coaches, we look at, OK, where are we individually and then collectively as a team, schematically, what we’re doing, and all of that gives you a chance to build confidence as you move forward and also evaluate the roster, because you’re really going against yourself."

Why It Matters

Deshaun Watson's return to game action ends a two-year absence from the field. He last played on October 20, 2024, when he tore his Achilles tendon against the Cincinnati Bengals. Watson suffered a second Achilles tear in January 2025, which led to surgery and prevented him from playing in the 2025 season. The evaluation of Watson and Sanders during the preseason will inform the coaching staff's decision on the starting quarterback role heading into the regular season.

Timeline

On October 20, 2024, Deshaun Watson last played when he tore his Achilles tendon against the Cincinnati Bengals, marking the start of a two-year absence from game action. On August 15, 2026, Deshaun Watson started the first half of the Cleveland Browns' preseason opener against the Chicago Bears. Also on August 15, 2026, Shedeur Sanders entered the game in the third quarter and played three series for the Cleveland Browns against the Chicago Bears. On that date, Deshaun Watson said, "It goes back to what Todd and the organization and coaching staff want." He also said, "Every opportunity I get, I want to continue to improve and take one step forward." Watson said, "Every day will be a challenge, but that's the whole thing about the NFL." He stated, "It's a business, and every day is a challenge." He said, "I don't think that's anything I doubted in myself."

What's New

Additional reporting includes Deshaun Watson saying, "But I’m 30 now." Todd Monken said, "We'll be able to assess the quarterback that started and how he played and when the other quarterbacks came in and then the opposite will be next week against Buffalo." He said, "I'm super excited." He stated, "All the hard work that I put in with the training staff, with my team, my personal team, to get to this stage has been tremendous." He said, "I’m super excited for those opportunities and can’t wait for it." He noted, "I'm different, man." He said, "Ever since I’ve been here early on, bringing up Houston was cool." He stated, "I had some injuries and things like that."

How Sources Differ

Regarding Deshaun Watson's performance against the Chicago Bears, the Cleveland Browns coaching staff announcement stated that Deshaun Watson started the first half of the Cleveland Browns' preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on August 15, 2026. The NFL box score reported that Deshaun Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards in the preseason game against the Chicago Bears. On the topic of Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Browns coaching staff announcement stated that Deshaun Watson started the first half of the Cleveland Browns' preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on August 15, 2026.

The NFL contract database reported that Deshaun Watson signed a fully guaranteed $230 million contract with the Cleveland Browns. Regarding Deshaun Watson's starts for the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Browns coaching staff announcement stated that Deshaun Watson started the first half of the Cleveland Browns' preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on August 15, 2026. NFL game records reported that Deshaun Watson started 19 games for the Cleveland Browns prior to the 2026 season. On whether Deshaun Watson started the first half, the Cleveland Browns coaching staff announcement stated that Deshaun Watson started the first half of the Cleveland Browns' preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on August 15, 2026. Desk_web reported that Deshaun Watson started the game and played the first half, finishing 11-for-15 for 126 yards. Regarding Shedeur Sanders' game against the Chicago Bears, the Cleveland Browns coaching staff announcement stated that Shedeur Sanders entered the game in the third quarter and played three series for the Cleveland Browns against the Chicago Bears on August 15, 2026. The NFL box score reported that Shedeur Sanders completed 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards with one interception in the preseason game against the Chicago Bears. On the subject of the Cleveland Browns and Deshaun Watson, newsdata reported that Cleveland Browns legend Hanford Dixon stated that giving Shedeur Sanders first-team reps and a start makes no sense if Deshaun Watson was already set as the starter.