The Cleveland Browns are closing in on their first key quarterback decision of the preseason.
Head coach Todd Monken expects to determine who will start the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears after meeting with his staff this weekend. The Browns will visit Chicago on Saturday, August 15.
“We’ll start to really focus in on who’s going to start, how we’re going to play our guys, and where we’re at at quarterback’s a piece of that,” Monken said on Saturday.
Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders have alternated first-team reps throughout training camp. Monken said the decision on who starts against Chicago will be based on the quarterbacks’ full body of work since the offseason program began.
“Even in a preseason game, the win-loss won’t matter, but how we play is going to matter to me,” Monken said. “How we function offensively. Whoever we put out there, we want the product to look like you want it to look like. So ultimately that’ll be the start of it.”
Browns QB Decision Comes With Important Caveat
GettyBEREA, OHIO – JULY 29: Head coach Todd Monken of the Cleveland Browns watches a drill during Cleveland Browns Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
The announcement will settle who takes the first snap against the Bears. It will not determine who starts the regular-season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Monken has consistently said the preseason will play an important role in separating Watson and Sanders. Neither quarterback has created enough distance in practice for the Browns to end the competition early, although some indications suggest Watson has a slight edge.
Watson is attempting to revive his career after missing all of last season while recovering from a twice-torn Achilles. He has not appeared in a game since October 2024 and has struggled to meet even low expectations since arriving in Cleveland in 2022.
Sanders is trying to build on an uneven rookie season. He went 3-4 across seven starts, completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. However, Monken has seen some significant improvement from Sanders.
“Being able to check the ball down and get it out of his hands. He’s such a playmaker that that’s hard for him,” Monken said when asked about Sanders’ growth. “For a guy that is always looking to make a play, super competitive, that is a win. Trying to get super competitive quarterbacks to understand that throwing the ball away and eliminating lost yardage plays is a win.”
Browns Plan to Give Both QBs Preseason Starts
The Browns remain on track to start Watson and Sanders in separate preseason games, which was initially reported by NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
“That’s still in mind,” Monken said. “We’re still on that track of liking to have one start one game and then the other. But everything we do is subject to change. With every position we have on the field.
“We’ll see how it goes today. We’ll see how it goes Monday. We’ll see how it goes Tuesday. And then we’ll put our best foot forward next Saturday.”
The Browns will hold a joint practice with the Bills on August 20, giving Watson and Sanders another significant test before the second preseason game. Cleveland will close the exhibition schedule against the New England Patriots on August 27.
Dillon Gabriel also remains in the quarterback picture and will likely draw some second-half reps in the preseason tilts. Monken has praised Gabriel’s development and increased his practice opportunities, although Watson and Sanders continue to receive the bulk of the first-team work. Rookie Taylen Green rounds out the four-man room.
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