Watson’s ‘Awesome’ Return: Browns QB Silences Critics in Dominant Half
Browns’ Preseason Opener: Watson Returns, But Cleveland Falls to Bears
Quick Summary: The Cleveland Browns lost their first preseason game 34-10 to the Chicago Bears, but the real story was quarterback Deshaun Watson’s return to the field after nearly two years away due to injuries.
What Happened in the Game?
The Browns traveled to Chicago for their first practice game of the 2026 season. Think of preseason games like scrimmages—they don’t count toward the regular season record, but they help coaches see who’s ready to play.
The Final Score
- Chicago Bears: 34
- Cleveland Browns: 10
The Big Story: Deshaun Watson Is Back!
Who Is Deshaun Watson?
Watson is the Browns’ starting quarterback—the guy who throws the ball and leads the offense. He was traded to Cleveland in March 2022 but has barely played since then.
Why Hasn’t He Played?
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Suspended for most of the season |
| 2023 | Limited by injuries |
| 2024 | Tore his right Achilles tendon in October |
| 2025 | Had a second Achilles surgery in January, missed entire season |
Important Point: An Achilles tendon injury is a very serious leg injury that connects your calf muscle to your heel. It often takes a year or more to fully recover from—especially for athletes who need to run, jump, and change direction quickly.
How Did Watson Look in His Return?
Really good! Here are the numbers from his first half of play:
- Passes completed: 11 out of 15 (that’s 73%—very accurate!)
- Passing yards: 126
- Scoring drives led: 2 (the only points Cleveland scored all game)
- Time on field: Entire first half
What the coach said: "It was awesome… to watch him play. He was having fun today. And that is so cool. And I thought he really functioned at a high level."
What Watson said: "I don’t think [there is] anything that I doubt in myself… I don’t doubt myself in any way that I can’t play at a high level."
The Rookie: Shedeur Sanders Gets His Turn
Who Is He?
Sanders is a rookie quarterback (first-year player) drafted by the Browns. He’s competing with Watson for the starting job.
How Did He Do?
- Played: Third quarter + part of fourth quarter
- Passes completed: 6 out of 11
- Passing yards: 79
- Interceptions: 1 (threw a pass the other team caught)
- Attitude: Stayed positive! "I’m alive, I’m breathing. I’m able to come up here and talk to y’all. So, I can’t be that down."
Third Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel
- Played: Rest of the fourth quarter
- Stats: 5 of 8 passes, 23 yards, 1 interception
Key Moments from the Game
Browns’ Scoring Drives (Both Led by Watson)
- First points: 50-yard field goal by kicker Andre Szmyt → 3-0 Browns
- Touchdown drive: 10 plays, 86 yards → 14-yard TD run by rookie KC Concepcion → 10-3 Browns
Turnovers (Mistakes That Give Ball to Other Team)
- Watson: Strip-sacked on 4th down (ball knocked out of his hands)
- Sanders: Interception (overthrew his receiver)
- Gabriel: Interception
Important Point: Coach Monken said: "Both of them had a turnover… But to me, it felt like we are going to be able to throw the football, be effective in that… I was pleased with our quarterbacks."
What’s Next for the Browns?
This Week
- Joint practices with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday
- Watson and Sanders will split first-team practice reps (take turns running the starting offense)
Next Preseason Game
- vs. Buffalo Bills at home next Saturday
- Sanders starts, plays first half
- Watson plays the third quarter
- Gabriel plays the fourth quarter
Why This Matters: The Big Picture
The Quarterback Competition
| The Browns have a three-way battle at quarterback: | Player | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deshaun Watson | Veteran, former Pro Bowler | Returning from major injury | |
| Shedeur Sanders | Rookie, high draft pick | Learning the NFL game | |
| Dillon Gabriel | Rookie | Getting limited reps |
Coach Monken’s First Year
Todd Monken is a first-year head coach. He’s evaluating everyone fairly and likes what he sees so far from the QB position.
Health Is the Key Question
Can Watson stay healthy? He’s played only 19 games in 4+ years with Cleveland. The team needs him on the field to justify their massive investment in him.
Summary
Good news: Deshaun Watson looked sharp in his return after two Achilles surgeries
Good news: Rookie Shedeur Sanders showed flashes and kept a great attitude
Good news: The offense moved the ball well when Watson was in
Bad news: Three turnovers by QBs (can’t win many games doing that)
Bad news: Run game and protection need work, per Coach Monken
Next up: Joint practices with Bills, then preseason Game 2 at home
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Is Deshaun Watson definitely the starting quarterback?
Not yet. He’s competing with Shedeur Sanders. Coach Monken is splitting first-team reps between them this week, and Sanders will start the next preseason game. The job is still up for grabs!
Why did the Browns lose 34-10 if Watson played well?
Preseason games are weird! Watson only played the first half. The backup players (who may not make the final team) played the second half against Chicago’s backups. The score doesn’t matter—evaluation does.
What is a "strip-sack"?
When a defensive player hits the quarterback and knocks the ball out of his hands at the same time. It counts as both a sack (tackle behind the line) and a fumble (lost ball).
How serious is an Achilles tear for a quarterback?
Very serious. QBs need to plant their back foot, push off, and twist to throw. That puts huge stress on the Achilles. Two surgeries in two years is a major medical red flag, but Watson says he feels confident.
When do the real games start?
The 2026 NFL regular season begins in early September. The Browns have two more preseason games after the Bills game to finalize their roster.
Article based on ESPN reporting by Daniel Oyefusi, August 15, 2026