Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has made it clear that the club’s preseason contest against the Buffalo Bills on August 22, 2026, would play a significant role in determining the team’s starting quarterback. The competition, which has been closely monitored throughout the summer, features veteran Deshaun Watson, a former three-time Pro Bowler, and Shedeur Sanders. While the Browns also have Dillon Gabriel on the roster, Monken has narrowed the primary battle to Watson and Sanders.
Todd Monken and the Browns’ preseason quarterback competition
The stakes for the organization are high, as the team looks to move past a period of instability at the sport’s most important position. Watson, who entered the spring as the clear favorite to reclaim the starting job, is attempting to return to form after a year-and-a-half layoff. His absence was necessitated by a right Achilles tendon tear suffered at Huntington Bank Field in October 2024, followed by a second rupture during the subsequent rehabilitation process. These injuries sidelined Watson for the remainder of the 2024 season and the entirety of the 2025 campaign.
Performance gap between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders
In the August 22 preseason game—the first time Watson had played at Huntington Bank Field since his initial injury—the performance gap between the two contenders became a focal point. Sanders started the game and led five first-half drives, completing nine of 11 passes for 74 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Watson entered the game in the second half, where he struggled to gain momentum. Across four second-half drives, Watson completed five of 12 passes for 36 yards and threw an interception. The Browns ultimately suffered a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The atmosphere at the stadium turned hostile, with boos heard when Watson entered the game in the second half and as he struggled throughout his time on the field. Following the game, Watson addressed the crowd’s reaction, describing the behavior as “disrespectful.”
Watson noted that the entire world is aware the reaction had nothing to do with his performance. He added that the situation felt more personal than that and consequently expressed that he found the behavior disrespectful.
Deshaun Watson’s injury history at Huntington Bank Field
Watson drew a direct connection between the current boos and his injury history at the venue. Watson recalled that the last time he played on that field, he tore his Achilles. He pointed out that the same fanbase had cheered when he was injured, questioning what that had to do with his performance. He expressed his confusion over why fans would cheer when a person—especially one from their own city—gets hurt, noting that while he had different expectations for how things would turn out, he accepted the reality of the situation.
Watson expressed that he believed he had done enough to win over the fanbase, citing his time spent around the facility, charity work in the city, and efforts to support the team during his recovery. Watson stated that he had hoped being away for two years, working through two Achilles injuries, putting in the necessary time, staying involved with the facility and the city, engaging in local charity work, supporting the Cleveland Browns, and interacting with fans would help, but he acknowledged that it apparently had not, concluding that the situation was personal.
Jeremy Fowler on the Browns’ decision regarding the starting quarterback
According to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Browns have to weigh what happened on the field with Watson and also what he said in that press conference. As the Browns face a decision on their starter, the team must weigh Watson’s experience against Sanders’ recent progress. While Watson remains in the mix, his performance against the Bills and his postgame commentary have intensified scrutiny regarding his future as the club’s QB1.