The Cleveland Browns started their preseason with a trip to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately, in Todd Monken’s first game as head coach, his team lost 34-10.
The main objective of the game for the Browns was to see how Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders performed, given that they are competing for the QB1 spot. Based on how they both played against the Bears, it can be said that Watson is the clear frontrunner to win the job.
Shedeur Sanders Fails to Make a Big Impact Against Bears
Watson started the game for the Browns and, despite not playing for nearly two years, looked impressive. He finished the game completing 11/15 of his throws for 126 yards, no touchdowns, but was strip-sacked once.
As for Sanders, he entered the game after halftime and was replaced in the fourth quarter by Dillon Gabriel. The former Colorado star completed 6/11 of his throws for 79 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception.
Sanders also fumbled the snap on his first drive of the game, but it was recovered by his own teammate. He didn’t play poorly but failed to make any major impact, which was required of him to challenge Watson’s lead in the quarterback battle.
As a result, Sanders’ performance drew mixed reactions on social media from analysts and former players.
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Skip Bayless liked what he saw from the second-year quarterback on the field and wrote, “Shedeur just stood in vs blitz and completed deep over. Looks so comfortable, even playing with backups.”
Robert Griffin III also liked the same play and said, “Shedeur Sanders on 3rd and 13 drifting to 12 yards deep off his drop back will drive every O-lineman and OL coach crazy because it doesn’t allow the O-Line to set a proper pocket for the QB. BUT…If you do it.. You better make the throw. Shedeur will.”
YouTuber Sir Yacht wrote, “START SHEDEUR SANDERS WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?”
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However, not everyone was a fan of Sanders’ performance.
Former NFL defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko said, “Shedeur starts off his drive with a GREAT throw. Followed by two HORRIFIC reps. Then followed up by another GREAT throw vs zero blitz. All for the drive to end up in a turnover on downs. I don’t know how to grade this.”
Fehoko also suggested that it’s possible that neither Watson nor Sanders will be the team’s quarterback next year. He wrote, “Now that we can put the 2026 Cleveland Quarterback competition to rest. On to 2027. Browns fans this is a safe space. Who is the QB & tell me why it’s Lanorris Sellers?”
An account named “NFL Draft Files” reacted to Sanders’ interception and wrote, “Shedeur Sanders, goodness gracious, THAT is a meatball sub.”
Another account on X reacted to the interception, saying, “Shedeur Sanders is just not playable.”
Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel kept a light tone and said, “The Browns QB competition just got more interesting. You can’t win the job with one game, but Shedeur Sanders has some ground to make up after Deshaun Watson played very well.”
PFN analyst Jacob Infante also didn’t like what he saw from Sanders. On PFN’s Football Debate Club, he said, “Shedeur Sanders was struggling against the Chicago Bears’ backup defense, and we’re expected to believe that he’s the franchise quarterback of the Cleveland Browns. I’m just not buying it, man.”
“It’s frustrating because there’s potential there,” Infante added. “But at the same time, out of 38 qualified quarterbacks last season, Shedeur was 37th in PFSN QB Impact scoring. He’s the second-worst quarterback in the NFL by that metric.”
Sanders played a total of eight games in his rookie season, starting seven of them, and threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while completing just 56.5% of his throws.
As mentioned earlier, he was the second-worst-rated quarterback on PFN’s QB Impact Metric, only behind Cam Ward.
With the way things are trending, Watson is expected to be the Browns’ starting quarterback in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, there is still time for Sanders to make some noise.
The Browns will go against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 of the preseason, and Sanders will start that game. Watson is currently projected to play in the third quarter against the Bills, with Gabriel slated to replace him for the fourth quarter.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.