In his first NFL action since 2024, quarterback Deshaun Watson took the field for the Cleveland Browns during a preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Saturday. For Watson, the outing marked a significant milestone: simply being back on the field, healthy, after a challenging period of injuries and a suspension. While not a performance that will redefine his career, Watson’s play was sufficient to outshine his fellow quarterbacks competing for playing time, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
A Welcome Return to Play
The primary objective for Watson in this preseason matchup was to emerge unscathed, a goal he achieved. His return to the field comes after suffering two Achilles tears, first in October 2024 and then again in early 2025. “Definitely a good moment for myself,” Watson commented on his participation. The fact that he completed the game in one piece was, by his own account, a victory in itself for a player who has battled significant injuries.
Beyond his physical recovery, Watson’s performance was a mixed bag. He completed 11 of 15 passes, and the Browns managed to score while he was under center. However, he did not throw a touchdown and committed one turnover via a fumble. Interestingly, the fumble occurred after a strong start where he connected on 10 of his first 11 attempts, with his only incompletion being a pass dropped by tight end Harold Fannin. Following the turnover, his rhythm seemed to falter, completing only one of his subsequent four passes.
Contextualizing Performance Against Teammates
The narrative surrounding Watson’s return is heavily influenced by the performances of Sanders and Gabriel, the other quarterbacks vying for a role with the Browns. Both Sanders and Gabriel struggled considerably, making Watson’s serviceable outing appear more impressive by comparison. Shedeur Sanders, who is slated to start the next preseason game, finished with a passer rating of 39.6. Dillon Gabriel, the team’s third-string quarterback, posted an even lower rating of 27.1. Both quarterbacks faced backup defenses but were unable to consistently move the ball, with Sanders also fumbling a snap that resulted in a lost down.
Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken acknowledged the difficulties Watson has faced, stating, “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.” Monken added, “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.”
Watson’s Perspective on His Comeback
Despite the significant guaranteed contract he signed in 2022, Watson expressed confidence in his ability to perform at a high level, focusing on his current progress rather than past expectations. “I don’t think that’s anything that I doubted myself,” Watson asserted. “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.”
Looking Ahead: The Quarterback Competition
The preseason quarterback competition in Cleveland remains a focal point. Coach Monken has announced that Shedeur Sanders will start the upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills and play the first half. Deshaun Watson is scheduled to play in the third quarter, with Dillon Gabriel finishing the game in the fourth. This rotation indicates that the coaching staff is still evaluating their options and looking for consistency from their signal-callers as the regular season approaches.
Watson’s return to the field, marked by a successful navigation of his first game action post-injury and suspension, sets the stage for continued evaluation. While his performance wasn’t spectacular, it was enough to demonstrate progress and resilience, particularly when contrasted with the struggles of his teammates competing for the same role. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the Browns’ quarterback depth chart and overall readiness for the upcoming season.
