EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- The Cleveland Browns dropped their preseason opener to the Chicago Bears on Saturday, but coach Todd Monken was pleased with the play of quarterback Deshaun Watson in his first game since the 2024 season.Watson, who is competing with Shedeur Sanders to be Cleveland's starting quarterback, started the first preseason game alongside the Browns' projected offense and played the first half. He completed 10 of 15 passes for 126 yards and led two scoring drives, the only points for Cleveland in the 34-10 loss."It was awesome," said Monken, a first-year head coach. "It was so cool to watch him play. I get all of the frustration by fans, himself. But for him to come back and work like he did is an unbelievable credit to him. And then to go out there, he was having fun today. And that is so cool. And I thought he really functioned at a high level. Certainly we don't want to be taking timeouts. We sure as heck can't take delay of games, ok? But it was fun watching him play and watching us put the next step forward and see where we're at."The exhibition marked Watson's first game since he tore his right Achilles tendon in October 2024. Watson, who has been limited to 19 games because of suspension and injuries since being traded to the Browns in March 2022, sat out the 2025 season after undergoing a second Achilles surgery in January 2025. The Browns' opening possession was a quick three-and-out after three runs by Quinshon Judkins. On the second series, Watson completed his first four attempts, but his fifth was dropped by tight end Harold Fannin Jr. on a pass that would have resulted in a first down. Cleveland took a 3-0 lead after kicker Andre Szmyt's 50-yard field goal.Watson led a 10-play, 86-yard scoring drive on the next possession, a series that was capped by a 14-yard touchdown run from rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion. Watson turned the ball over on his fourth drive after he was strip-sacked on fourth-and-2, and the Bears recovered. His final two possessions resulted in punts."I don't think [there is] anything that I doubt in myself," Watson said. "That's the reason why I worked hard these last two years to get back to that. Had some challenges with some injuries and suspension, and now being able to get a full offseason and continue to work my way back up, even though it takes time. But at the same time, I don't doubt myself in any way that I can't play at a high level."Sanders started the third quarter and played three series into the fourth quarter, completing 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards and one interception. His first two completions went for chunk gains on his opening possession, but he overthrew a pass to wide receiver Malachi Corley that led to the interception on his third and final series. Dillon Gabriel played the remainder of the game, completing 5 of 8 passes for 23 and an interception."Obviously, turning the ball over and all that stuff is not great, and it won't survive a long time in the league doing that," Sanders said. "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."The Browns will host joint practices with the Bills on Thursday, and Monken said both Watson and Sanders will split first-team reps against Buffalo. Sanders will start the second preseason game against the Bills at home next Saturday and play in the first half. Watson will play in the third quarter, and Dillon Gabriel will play in the fourth quarter, Monken said."Both of them had a turnover. One was a fumble, but I was really pleased with our quarterback play," Monken said. "It's not going to feel like that. 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, certainly do a better job coaching in the run game and protections and our play actions. And everything that we do, we're going to get better at. But I was pleased with our quarterbacks."
