Browns QB battle tracker: How Shedeur Sanders' preseason debut impacts chances to become Cleveland's starter

While the Cleveland Browns have already likely confirmed their answer as to who their starting quarterback will be for the upcoming 2026 season, their first preseason showing left a bit more to be desired across the board.

Veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson likely confirmed that he would be the starter come Week 1, although he was not perfect against the Chicago Bears on Saturday afternoon. He did lead the team in overall passing yardage, but his day ended with a lost fumble, followed by a three-and-out just before halftime.

Young quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel split time in the second half; even against players further down Chicago's depth chart, the duo looked far from ready to command a franchise on the offensive side of the ball.

Here's what Cleveland's quarterback situation brought after their first preseason outing against the Bears.

MORE: A lookback at Shedeur Sanders' performance against the Bears

Browns QB depth chart

During their preseason opener, Cleveland played Watson, Sanders, and Gabriel in accordance with where they appear to land on the depth chart. Watson, by far the most experienced quarterback on this roster, got a full half to work with, while both 2025 draftees split time during the second half. After the trio's showing, there appears little-to-no chance Watson fails to earn the Week 1 starting position.

Watson, although not perfect, looked by far the most ready out of the Browns' gunslingers on Saturday after an 11-of-15 day for 126 yards. Sanders and Gabriel, combined, put up 102 yards (Sanders: 79; Gabriel 23), while also each throwing an interception. Watson, entering his age-30 season, had four passes total a double-digit amount of yards, with his most notable involving backup running back Dylan Sampson for 43 yards down the middle of the field in a catch-and-run (47 yards after catch).

Sanders' outing against Chicago got off to a rocky start with a fumble on his second snap, which was recovered, and a pass that was batted down on the ensuing play. However, his first and fourth plays of the contest were 24-plus yard passes to Gage Larvadain and Luke Floriea. Gabriel, on the other hand, had his top throw span just seven yards to receiver Kole Wilson.

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Shedeur Sanders stats vs. Bears

• Comp/Att: 6/11
• Yards: 79
• TD: 0
• INT: 1
• Rating: 39.6
• Rush attempts: 2
• Rush yards: 3

Sanders managed 79 passing yards against Chicago in a so-so performance, showing some promise early but then going on to throw a pick.

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Shedeur Sanders highlights vs. Bears

Sanders started his afternoon with a 24-yard pass to WR Gage Larvadain. In just one pass, the Browns already hit Bears' territory.

After a fumbled-yet-recovered snap, along with a pass that was blocked at the line of scrimmage, Sanders showed resilience by airing one out 35 yards to Floriea. This brought Cleveland all the way to Chicago's 14-yard line.

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Deshaun Watson stats

• Comp/Att: 11/15
• Yards: 126
• TD: 0
• INT: 0
• Rating: 98.2
• Rush attempts: 3
• Rush yards: 4

Watson, meanwhile, kept Cleveland's offense in more of a flow in the first half vs. Chicago. He failed to find the end zone, but did accumulate 126 yards through the air for the Browns.

Deshaun Watson highlights

Watson's best play of the day came late in the first quarter. He found Sampson, whose legs brought the vast majority of developing this play.