To the casual fan, all of the evidence from the Cleveland Browns’ preseason opener looks to be working against Shedeur Sanders. Not only did he throw an ugly interception, but he also fumbled a snap, had a pass batted at the line of scrimmage, and the Browns did not score while he was in the game.
On the other hand, Deshaun Watson may have lost a fumble on a sack, but he did not throw an interception and led the offense to its only points in a 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. His passer rating of 98.2 was also considerably better than Sanders’ 39.6.
But former All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel is making a strong claim about Sanders, saying head coach Todd Monken wants him to win the quarterback competition.
“When it comes down to Shedeur, will Todd Monken accept Shedeur as the playmaker he is? If Shedeur hits that man across the middle instead of throwing that interception, I would’ve came up here today and told y’all it’s time to name Shedeur Sanders the starting quarterback. When Shedeur is in the game, the energy is different. I would even go out on a limb and say Shedeur Sanders is a more athletic quarterback than Deshaun Watson is at this point in Deshaun Watson’s career. That interception, if you know football, is very fixable. Todd Monken wants Shedeur Sanders to win this battle. I’m telling you,” Samuel said.
Asante Needs You Understand Shedeur Sanders Impressed Todd Monken.
If You Think DeShaun Watson Stats Tells The Full Story You’re Wrong pic.twitter.com/gH6zE7ae8v
— Say What Needs To Be Said (@saywhatneedsto) August 16, 2026
After Watson played the entire first half, Sanders entered the game in the third quarter and, on his first drive, he completed two downfield passes to put the Browns into the red zone. They failed to score when a fourth-down running play from the 5-yard line was stopped short.
Then, on his final drive, Sanders badly overthrew intended receiver Malachi Corley about 20 yards downfield, and the pass was intercepted by Bears defensive back Beanie Bishop Jr. Sanders claimed the ball slipped from his hands, and if he had been able to hit Corley in stride, his stats – 6-for-11 for 79 yards – would have turned out to be much better.
Sanders averaged 9.2 air yards per attempt, compared to Watson’s 4.4 average. That could be a result of Watson playing much more conservatively in his first live action since October 2024, and him trying to avoid the concerning interceptions that plagued him in training camp.
It is a contrast in styles that could make Monken’s decision difficult. He could choose to start Watson and play it safe, allowing the Browns’ defense to carry the team again. Or he could use Sanders’ potential big-play ability to add some juice to an offense that has been one of the worst in the league the past two seasons.
The answer may come after the next preseason game, against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, depending on how that works out.
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