The Browns have named Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback for the preseason opener against the Bears in Chicago on Aug. 15, and Shedeur Sanders will start the second game against the Bills on Aug. 22. Todd Monken said the plan is built around the competition, not around a finished decision.
Watson said he was excited for the chance after an offseason and training camp spent working back into rhythm. He said the hard work he put in with the training staff, his team and his personal team had been tremendous for him, and that he could not wait for the opportunities ahead.
The move gives the Browns a clear structure for the first two exhibition games and answers the immediate question of who gets the first shot. Monken said he has his reasons for how it is going to go, but added that it is still a competition, a reminder that the rotation is about evaluation as much as it is about assignment.
That evaluation has been unfolding all month. Over the first eight days of training camp, Watson and Sanders alternated first-team reps each day, and Watson got back-to-back turns on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8, when the Browns worked in helmets one day and pads the next. Watson most recently took first-team reps on Aug. 11, keeping him in front when the team drew up its preseason plan.
On Tuesday, Watson kept making the kind of plays that help his case. He hit WR Isaiah Bond on a deep pass over the middle for a touchdown in an 11-on-11 period, then connected with WR Cedric Tillman down the right sideline for a big gain in 7-on-7 work. Quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian said Watson had thrown interceptions early in camp, but had done a good job protecting the football as of late, including a stretch of three or four practices with zero picks. Bajakian also said Watson had been decisive on his good days, with his anticipation on point and the ball coming out on time without him having to drift in the pocket.
Watson said his comfort in Monken's offense has grown through training camp and that he has been watching practice film to clean up mistakes and keep improving. Monken said he expects each quarterback to play about a half in the first preseason game and wants both Watson and Sanders to work through a two-minute situation there, which should give the Browns a sharper read on both when the game is on the line. The next step is already set: Watson gets the opener, Sanders gets the second game, and the Browns will keep sorting out what comes after that.
