We’ve all heard the joke about being in the woods with a friend and being chased by a bear, right? It’s not necessary to be faster than the bear. It’s necessary to be faster than the friend. That definitely applied to Deshaun Watson on Saturday in his first NFL action since 2024.
This was a grand success for Watson because he got on the field in a preseason game against the Chicago Bears (funny how that ties in) and he outran Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in fleeing the bear.
No, Watson wasn’t great in his one half of play. But he didn’t have to be because he was way better than the other two guys.
DESHAUN WATSON, SHEDEUR SANDERS GIVE BROWNS A PRESEASON QUARTERBACK BATTLE WORTH WATCHING
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson rushes the ball past Chicago Bears defensive tackle Kentavius Street during the first half at Soldier Field in Chicago on Aug. 15, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
“Definitely a good moment for myself,” is how Watson described his outing.
And it was, in that it marked his first game action since he suffered not one but two Achilles tears in October of ’24 and then early in 2025.
Watson even left the field as he entered: in one piece, which was a victory for the often-injured player.
But beyond that, Watson was neither terrible nor great during the game.
And that made him seem outstanding by comparison to Sanders, with whom he’s competing for a starting job, and Gabriel, the team’s No. 3 quarterback at the moment.
Todd Monken talks with the media after being introduced as head coach of the Cleveland Browns during a press conference at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on Feb. 3, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
“Oh, it was awesome,” Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken overstated when asked about Watson’s outing. “I mean, 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.”
Sure.
Watson completed 11 of 15 passes. Good.
The Browns scored with him in the game. Good.
But he didn’t throw a TD. And did turn the ball over once on a fumble.
Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will each get preseason starts as the Browns try to settle one of the NFL’s most intriguing quarterback battles. (Diamond Images/Getty Images)
That fumble seemed to trigger Watson because he actually completed 10 of his first 11 passes before the turnover, with his lone incompletion coming on a pass dropped by tight end Harold Fannin.
But after the turnover he completed only one of his final four attempts.
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So where does that leave Watson now? Well, Monken was quite impressed.
And to hear Watson talk, he simply performed as expected. No, not to the standards of the fully guaranteed $230 million he signed with the Browns in 2022, but pretty good.
“I don’t think that’s anything that I doubted myself,” Watson said. “That’s the reason why I’ve worked hard these last two years, you know, to get back to that.
“I had some, some challenges with some injuries and suspension and, you know, now being able to get a full offseason and continue to work my way back up. It takes time.
“But I don’t doubt myself in any way that I can’t play at a high level.”
Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field after a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)
This is where you must understand both Sanders and Gabriel threw interceptions. Sanders also fumbled a snap and while he didn’t lose it, it cost the Browns a down.
Sanders finished with a 39.6 passer rating.
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Gabriel finished with a 27.1 passer rating.
They were playing against backups and struggled.
Monken said Sanders will start next week against the Buffalo Bills and play the first half. Watson will play in the third quarter and Gabriel will play in the fourth.
The race to the Browns’ starting quarterback job continues.
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