Deshaun Watson throws for 126 yards in 2026 preseason debut

August 15, 2026 - 18:03

Deshaun Watson made his 2026 preseason debut on Saturday, starting under center for the Cleveland Browns against the Chicago Bears and playing the entire first half. He finished the day with 126 passing yards, a modest output that did little to settle the ongoing quarterback competition with rookie Shedeur Sanders.

Watson looked comfortable early, moving the pocket and completing several short-to-intermediate routes. His best throw came on a third-down conversion late in the second quarter, where he fit a tight window over the middle. However, the offense stalled twice in the red zone, settling for field goals on both drives. He did not throw a touchdown and was sacked once.

The coaching staff has been clear that the starting job is an open battle, and Sanders is expected to see significant action in the coming weeks. Watson's performance was steady but not spectacular, leaving the door open for the rookie to make a case. The Browns will likely rotate both quarterbacks in the next preseason game, with the final decision expected before the regular season opener. For now, Watson's experience gives him a slight edge, but he will need to produce more scoring drives to hold off the challenge.