Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson QB1 Battle Updated by Browns' Todd Monken After 1st Preseason Game

Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken praised Deshaun Watson but said he hasn't yet settled on a Week 1 starter after Saturday's preseason action against the Chicago Bears.

"I'm not ready to say it yet. The plan was always to get through the Bills game, switch up who's gonna start, who's gonna play in the second half, and then we'll go from there," Monken told reporters Saturday.

Monken added he would "100 percent" have confidence in Watson to start should the Browns turn to the veteran quarterback for Week 1.

He also said he was overall "really pleased with our quarterback play" after watching Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in action against the Bears.

Sanders will start next Saturday against the Buffalo Bills before Watson and Dillon Gabriel split the second half, according to Monken.

Watson's start against the Bears marked his first NFL action since suffering a torn Achilles tendon in October 2024.

He led the Browns on two scoring drives and finished the first half with 126 passing yards on 11-for-15 passing.

The veteran quarterback didn't record any passes of more than 10 air yards, however, and significant amount of his yardage came on a run from Dylan Sampson. He also suffered a strip sack on a fourth down in the second quarter.

"It's so cool to watch him play," Monken said about Watson. "I mean, I get all of the frustration. The 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."

Monken also said he thought Watson seemed "comfortable" both in his preparation for the game and in the huddle.

Sanders stepped in for the second half, during which he went 6-for-11 for 79 passing yards and threw a fourth-quarter interception.

Dillon Gabriel took over in the fourth quarter before throwing a pick to mark the Browns' third turnover of the game.

"There was a little push that got in his face... looked like the ball sailed a little bit on him, a little bit like what happened with Dillon," Monken said about Sanders' interception. "The positive thing is, they were both in the right place."

Monken also praised Sanders for adjusting quickly after coming in to start the second half.

"Those are the things you're looking for," Monken said. "Did anybody not see it and say, 'Oh, I think we might be okay there. I think our quarterbacks are pretty good. We've just got to a better job of coaching them and playing around them.'"

Watson and Sanders are now set to split first-team reps this week, including during Thursday's joint practices with the Bills, before Sanders starts next Saturday's preseason game against Buffalo.

Monken said ahead of training camp the team's plan was to split the first two preseason starts between Watson and Sanders.

How much playing time either quarterback sees in the team's third preseason matchup against the New England Patriots on Aug. 27 could be influenced by whether this week's competition against the Bills helps Monken decide on a Week 1 starter.