Watson Stuns in Return: ‘Awesome’ Half Sparks Browns Revival
Browns’ Preseason Opener: Watson Returns, Sanders Debuts in Loss to Bears
The Big Picture
The Cleveland Browns kicked off their 2026 preseason with a 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears on Saturday. While the final score wasn’t pretty, there were major reasons for optimism — especially at the quarterback position.
Game Date: August 15, 2026
Location: Chicago
Final Score: Bears 34, Browns 10
Deshaun Watson’s Long-Awaited Return
What Happened
Deshaun Watson took the field for the first time since October 2024 — nearly a full year after tearing his right Achilles tendon. He started the game and played the entire first half alongside Cleveland’s projected starting offense.
By the Numbers
- 11 of 15 passes completed (73.3%)
- 126 passing yards
- 2 scoring drives led (the only points Cleveland scored all game)
- 1 fumble (strip-sack on 4th down)
The Good
- Sharp early rhythm: completed his first 4 passes
- Led a 10-play, 86-yard touchdown drive capped by rookie KC Concepcion’s 14-yard run
- Looked comfortable, mobile, and — according to Coach Monken — was having fun
The Not-So-Good
- First drive: three-and-out (three runs by Quinshon Judkins)
- Dropped pass by TE Harold Fannin Jr. killed momentum on 2nd drive
- Strip-sack fumble on 4th-and-2 gave Bears the ball
- Final two drives ended in punts
- Delay of game penalty and a timeout Monken wants cleaned up
What Watson Said
"I don’t doubt myself in any way that I can’t play at a high level. That’s the reason why I worked hard these last two years to get back to that."
What Coach Monken Said
"It was awesome… It was so cool to watch him play. He was having fun today. And that is so cool. And I thought he really functioned at a high level."
Shedeur Sanders’ Preseason Debut
What Happened
The rookie quarterback entered to start the third quarter and played three series into the fourth.
By the Numbers
- 6 of 11 passes completed (54.5%)
- 79 passing yards
- 1 interception (overthrew Malachi Corley on 3rd series)
- 2 "chunk gain" completions on opening drive
What Sanders Said
"Obviously, turning the ball over… is not great. But as long as my eyes and my feet and everything were in the right place, being able to execute it, it just may happen. So, I look at the positive of things. 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."
Dillon Gabriel’s Brief Appearance
- Played the remainder of the 4th quarter
- 5 of 8 passes for 23 yards
- 1 interception
The Quarterback Competition: What’s Next?
| Quarterback | Preseason Game 1 | Next Up (vs. Bills) |
|---|---|---|
| Deshaun Watson | Started, played 1st half | Will play 3rd quarter |
| Shedeur Sanders | Played 3rd → early 4th | Will start 1st half |
| Dillon Gabriel | Played late 4th | Will play 4th quarter |
This Week’s Schedule
- Thursday: Joint practices with Buffalo Bills — Watson & Sanders split 1st-team reps
- Saturday: Preseason Game 2 vs. Bills at home — Sanders starts, Watson plays 3rd quarter, Gabriel plays 4th
Important Context: Watson’s Road Back
KEY BACKGROUND
Since being traded to Cleveland in March 2022, Watson has played only 19 games due to:
- Suspension (2022 season)
- Right Achilles tear (October 2024)
- Second Achilles surgery (January 2025) — missed entire 2025 season
This preseason game was his first real action in 22 months.
Coach Monken’s Bottom Line
"Both of them had a turnover… Turn it over three times, that’s never going to be ideal. 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."
Translation: The results weren’t perfect, but the process and potential looked encouraging.
Summary
- Browns lost 34-10 — but it’s preseason; the score matters less than the evaluation.
- Deshaun Watson looked good in his return: efficient, mobile, and leading scoring drives.
- Shedeur Sanders flashed ability but had a costly interception.
- Three QB turnovers total — something to clean up.
- Competition continues this week vs. Bills with a clear rotation plan.
- Coach Monken is encouraged by the quarterback play overall.
FAQ
Is Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback for Week 1?
Not decided yet. He and Shedeur Sanders are competing. Watson started Game 1; Sanders starts Game 2. The coaching staff will evaluate both through practices and preseason games.
Why did Watson miss so much time?
He tore his right Achilles in October 2024, had surgery, then needed a second surgery in January 2025, causing him to miss the entire 2025 season. Before that, a suspension limited him in 2022.
Who is Shedeur Sanders?
A rookie quarterback drafted by the Browns. He’s the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and played college football at Colorado. He’s competing for the starting job.
What does "strip-sack" mean?
When a defender sacks the quarterback (tackles him behind the line of scrimmage) and forces a fumble at the same time. Watson lost the ball, and Chicago recovered it.
Do preseason games count toward the regular season record?
No. Preseason games are for evaluation, conditioning, and roster decisions. The 0-1 record doesn’t affect playoff standings.