Watson Named Browns Preseason Week 1 Starter Against Bears

The Cleveland Browns have officially designated Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback for their upcoming preseason opener against the Chicago Bears. Head coach Todd Monken intends to provide both Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders significant playing time to evaluate their performance in high-pressure situations. While Watson expressed great enthusiasm regarding his return to the field, the coaching staff maintains that the quarterback position remains an active competition. Training camp observations suggest that Watson is gaining comfort within the new offensive system, specifically by improving his decision-making and ball security. Sanders is scheduled to lead the team as the starter during the following week's exhibition game against the Buffalo Bills. This strategic rotation ensures that both athletes receive first-team repetitions as the organization prepares for the 2026 regular season.