There were many players to watch in the Cleveland Browns’ game against the Chicago Bears on Saturday. In addition to the high-profile quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland’s heralded rookie offensive players made their NFL preseason debuts.
That includes Spencer Fano, the No. 9 overall selection from the 2026 NFL Draft, who was named the Browns’ starting left tackle earlier in the week. The 21-year-old showed some promising signs while playing the entire first half of the 34-10 loss.
Afterward, head coach Todd Monken said Fano will “continue to ascend,” based on the traits that made him a first-round pick.
“He’s certainly plenty athletic enough and certainly plenty smart enough, and he’s only going to continue to ascend when you’re wired the right way, you’ve got competitive stamina, you’re smart, you’re athletic,” Monken said. “I think he’s definitely going to continue to ascend.”
Fano’s competitive nature was already on display in training camp, when he got into a scuffle with defensive teammate Jared Verse during a drill. Fortunately, he was not noticeable in that way against the Bears, and he held his own against their defensive front.
The Browns took an early lead with a field goal and a touchdown on their second and third drives of the game, respectively, with Watson at quarterback. He was not sacked in his two quarters of action, but Cleveland’s rebuilt offensive line did struggle at times, particularly in short-yardage rushing situations.
A fellow rookie, wide receiver KC Concepcion, was the game’s standout for Cleveland. His long punt return set up the field goal, and his catch for a first down set the stage for his 14-yard TD run on a sweep. The No. 24 overall pick finished with three catches and 72 all-purpose yards.
Meanwhile, rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston, who was a second-round pick at No. 39 overall, managed just one catch for 15 yards on two targets from Watson. That could be because the QB did not try to push the ball downfield, likely wanting to avoid interceptions and working behind his new linemen in a game for the first time.
Fano will look to build on his performance this week when the Browns hold a joint practice against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday before playing them in a preseason game on Saturday.
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