Saturday’s lopsided 34-10 defeat in Chicago produced plenty of individual bright spots, but a recent discussion on 92.3 The Fan raised a broader concern that extends well beyond the performance of either quarterback. Daryl Ruiter and Nick Pedone broke down the game in detail on their weekend program, and while both analysts found genuine reasons for optimism regarding the starting units, their conversation ultimately settled on a more troubling theme about the overall depth of this Cleveland roster once the backups took the field.
“Love what I saw (from the starters), but I think our eyes got opened a little bit. This team not nearly as deep as we think,” Ruiter said.
"Love what I saw (from the starters)…but, I think our eyes got opened a little bit. This team not nearly as deep as we think."
➡️ @RuiterWrongFAN and @NickPedone12 react to the #Browns preseason loss to the #Bears pic.twitter.com/514vWyv18l
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 16, 2026
Watson turned in a genuinely encouraging performance across his time on the field, finishing 11 of 15 for 126 yards without a turnover attributable to his own decision making, while Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, and the other first-team skill players flashed exactly the kind of playmaking ability that has generated buzz throughout camp. That level of production from the starting units gave Browns fans plenty to feel good about heading into the season, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding Watson’s health after such a lengthy absence from live action.
However, the picture shifted considerably once Cleveland’s coaching staff began rotating in reserve caliber players, particularly along the offensive line. Rookie tackle Austin Barber struggled significantly, contributing directly to Watson getting strip sacked and hit multiple additional times during that stretch. That kind of drop off in performance once the backups entered the game raises legitimate questions about what happens if Cleveland experiences significant injuries at any position during the regular season.
With Shedeur Sanders set to lead the offense against Buffalo next Saturday, and Cleveland’s coaching staff still finalizing plans for how much the starting offensive line will play in that contest, Browns fans will get another opportunity to evaluate exactly how significant this depth gap truly is before final roster cuts arrive and the games that count begin.
NEXT: Former Player Pushes Back On Criticism Of Deshaun Watson
