Shedeur Sanders to Start Preseason Game 2 After 6-of-11 Debut for Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders will start Saturday's preseason game following his 79-yard performance against the Chicago Bears.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 6 of 11 pass attempts for 79 yards and one interception during three drives in the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears last Saturday. Following that performance, where he entered the game in the third quarter, Sanders is scheduled to start the team's second preseason exhibition at home this Saturday. The 2025 fifth-round pick, who earned seven starts during his rookie campaign, has been consistently splitting first-team repetitions with Deshaun Watson throughout training camp in Berea, Ohio.

Joint Practice and Preseason Rotation

Ahead of the Saturday kickoff, the Browns will host the Buffalo Bills for a joint practice on Thursday. Sanders and Watson are expected to continue their even split of first-team snaps during these sessions. While Sanders is confirmed to play the entire first half of the upcoming preseason game, he may operate without the team's primary offensive starters. Head coach Todd Monken and Bills coach Joe Brady reached an agreement to potentially sideline starters for the exhibition match if the units achieve sufficient work during the Thursday joint practice.

Monken, currently in his first year as head coach, has not established a specific timeline for naming the regular-season starter. He indicated that the preseason finale against the New England Patriots might serve as a traditional dress rehearsal for the roster. This scheduling leaves the current week of practices and the matchup against Buffalo as a critical window for Sanders to influence the coaching staff's looming decision at the position.

Sanders on Pressure and Preparation

Addressing the media on Wednesday, Sanders stated he feels no anxiety or pressure regarding the impending quarterback call. He described his approach as treating every day with equal importance rather than focusing on the high-stakes nature of the competition. The young signal-caller emphasized that his mindset remains consistent across all sessions, focusing on completing passes and executing the offensive scheme correctly.

"It's just another day of going to work," Sanders noted when discussing his preparation for the Bills. He explained that his lack of pressure stems from a standardized daily approach to his professional responsibilities. The quarterback aims to maintain the same rhythm during the joint sessions as he does during internal team practices, prioritizing the mechanical operation of the offense over the external narrative of the depth chart battle.

Training Camp Repetitions and Rookie History

Deshaun Watson received the start in the first preseason game against Chicago, while Sanders took over the offense later in the contest. The ongoing rotation of first-team reps has defined the summer in Berea as Monken evaluates both options. Sanders brings the experience of starting nearly half of the games during his debut season, a factor that contributes to his current standing in the competition.

The upcoming home game represents a shift in the rotation, moving Sanders from a third-quarter relief role to the opening snap. This transition provides the coaching staff with a direct comparison of how both quarterbacks handle different game environments and preparation cycles. As the Browns move toward the final stages of the preseason, the performance data from these 11-on-11 joint practice periods and the first-half exhibition snaps will serve as the primary evidence for Monken’s eventual selection.