Deshaun Watson finally got back on an NFL field Saturday, and the former Clemson quarterback made the most of his first real opportunity to separate himself in Cleveland’s quarterback competition.
Watson started the Browns’ preseason opener against the Chicago Bears and played the entire first half of a 34-10 loss. He completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards and helped produce all 10 of Cleveland’s points before Shedeur Sanders took over in the second half.
The appearance was Watson’s first game action since October 2024, when he tore his right Achilles. He later underwent another surgery and missed the entire 2025 season, making Saturday an important milestone in what has been a long comeback.
First-year Browns head coach Todd Monken was encouraged by what he saw.
“It was awesome,” Monken said. “It was so cool to watch him play. I get all of the frustration by fans, himself. But for him to come back and work like he did is an unbelievable credit to him.”
Watson did not play a perfect half. He was strip-sacked on fourth down during the second quarter, and Cleveland had some issues with timeouts and getting plays off. A large chunk of his passing yardage also came on a 43-yard screen to Dylan Sampson.
Still, the former Tigers quarterback settled in after Cleveland opened with a quick three-and-out. Watson later helped move the Browns into position for a 50-yard Andre Szmyt field goal before leading a 10-play, 86-yard drive that ended with rookie KC Concepcion scoring on a 14-yard run.
“And then to go out there, he was having fun today,” Monken said. “And that is so cool. And I thought he really functioned at a high level.”
Sanders followed Watson and finished 6-of-11 for 79 yards with an interception.
For Clemson fans, Watson’s return carries extra interest considering his place in program history. Before becoming an NFL quarterback, he developed into one of the greatest players to ever come through Clemson and helped lead the Tigers to the 2016 national championship.
Dabo Swinney on Clemson key running back missing Saturday’s scrimmage
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) August 16, 2026
📸 Ken Ruinard, Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images https://t.co/8Tk9mycu2Xpic.twitter.com/xOxdRHLwxJ
Now, after injuries and a suspension have limited him to just 19 regular-season appearances since joining Cleveland in 2022, Watson is trying to prove he can still play at a high level.
“I don’t think [there is] anything that I doubt in myself,” Watson said. “That’s the reason why I worked hard these last two years to get back to that.”
Saturday was only one preseason game, but it gave Watson something he had been waiting a long time for: another chance to show what he can do.
Contact us at @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Deshaun Watson excels in preseason start, outplays Shedeur Sanders