Deshaun Watson Completes 10 of 15 Passes in Browns' 34-10 Loss to Bears

Quarterback Deshaun Watson returned to the field for the first time since 2024, leading two scoring drives in a 34-10 preseason loss to the Chicago Bears.

The Chicago Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns 34-10 on Saturday at Soldier Field in a preseason opener defined by the return of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Playing his first game since the 2024 season, Watson completed 10 of 15 pass attempts for 126 yards while leading two scoring drives, which accounted for all of Cleveland's points. The veteran quarterback started alongside the projected first-team offense and played the entire first half before being replaced by Shedeur Sanders.

Cleveland’s initial possession ended in a three-and-out following three consecutive rushing attempts by Quinshon Judkins. On the subsequent series, Watson successfully connected on his first four passes. A potential first-down completion on his fifth attempt was dropped by tight end Harold Fannin Jr., leading to a 50-yard field goal by kicker Andre Szmyt that gave the Browns a temporary 3-0 lead.

Watson Leads 86-Yard Scoring Drive

The Browns' most productive offensive sequence occurred on their third possession, a 10-play, 86-yard drive orchestrated by Watson. This series culminated in a 14-yard touchdown run by rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion. However, the momentum shifted during the fourth drive when Watson was strip-sacked on a fourth-and-2 play, resulting in a fumble recovery for the Chicago Bears. Watson’s final two drives of the half ended in punts before he exited the contest.

This exhibition marked Watson's first live action since tearing his right Achilles tendon in October 2024. Following a second surgery on the same tendon in January 2025, he remained sidelined for the entire 2025 season. Since joining Cleveland via trade in March 2022, injuries and a suspension have limited the quarterback to just 19 total game appearances. First-year head coach Todd Monken described the performance as "awesome," noting that Watson functioned at a high level despite the team needing to clean up operational issues like timeouts and delay of game penalties.

Sanders and Gabriel Manage Second Half

Shedeur Sanders, who is competing with Watson for the starting role, took over at the start of the third quarter and played three series into the fourth. Sanders finished his outing completing 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards. While his opening possession included two chunk-gain completions, his final series ended with an interception on an overthrown pass intended for wide receiver Malachi Corley. Sanders noted that while turnovers are not sustainable in the league, he remained focused on his footwork and eye placement.

Dillon Gabriel handled the remainder of the fourth quarter for Cleveland. He completed 5 of 8 passes for 23 yards and threw one interception. Collectively, the Browns' quarterbacks accounted for three turnovers during the 24-point loss. Monken expressed satisfaction with the overall quarterback play and the ability to move the ball through the air, though he emphasized the need for better coaching regarding run blocking and pass protection.

Training Camp and Preseason Schedule

The Browns are scheduled to host joint practice sessions with the Buffalo Bills this coming Thursday. Coach Monken confirmed that Watson and Sanders will continue to split first-team repetitions during these practices. Looking ahead to the second preseason game against the Bills, the rotation will shift. Sanders is slated to start and play the entire first half at home next Saturday. Watson will enter the game to play the third quarter, while Gabriel is expected to finish the contest in the fourth quarter.