The Cleveland Browns' quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders appears to be nearing a resolution, with multiple reports indicating head coach Todd Monken is expected to choose a Week 1 starter by Monday. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on SportsCenter that the decision could come as early as Monday, and Monken himself told the team's pregame show on 3 The Fan: "I do not anticipate the quarterback decision going past early of next week."

Saturday's game against the Bills

Sanders got his first preseason start on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills, but the game was delayed less than two minutes into the first quarter because of lightning, with Buffalo facing first-and-10 at Cleveland's 41-yard line when play was halted. After the delay, Sanders led an 11-play, 65-yard drive, capping it with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Luke Floriea to tie the game 7-7. He completed his first eight passes for 80 yards and a touchdown before a tipped pass resulted in an interception. He finished 9-of-11 for 74 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, adding two rushing yards. He played the entirety of the first half before Watson took over in the third quarter.

Watson completed 5-of-12 passes for 35 yards, one interception, and 13 rushing yards. He also saw snaps on a failed fourth-down attempt. The Browns lost to the Bills 34-10.

Neither quarterback looked particularly impressive in the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears. Watson started that game and led the Browns' only two scoring drives — a 50-yard field goal by Andre Szmyt and a 14-yard rushing touchdown by KC Concepcion — finishing 11-of-15 for 126 yards and a 2 passer rating. He also lost a fumble on a fourth-down sack. Sanders entered in the second half and went 6-of-11 for 79 yards with one interception and a 6 passer rating.

Trade speculation and the competition's dynamics

While the competition has been framed as close, multiple reports suggest Watson holds an edge. Sanders' start against the Bills came without many of Cleveland's established starters, as most had logged significant snaps in a joint practice against Buffalo days earlier, leaving Sanders to work with a younger, less experienced supporting cast. Watson spent two consecutive days with the first-team offense around that time, which The Athletic's Zac Jackson reportedly saw as a strong sign that Monken views Watson as the clear leader.

Trade speculation has also emerged. Fowler, appearing on ESPN Cleveland, said the Browns' front office and general manager Andrew Berry are "value-based" and would "look into" a trade for Sanders "if good value is to be had." He added that "his best chance to play might still be in Cleveland in Year 2." A July report indicated the Browns had no intention of trading Sanders at that time, but that was before Watson's apparent momentum. Sanders was benched after the first half of the Bills game, and Watson started the second half — a decision some reports interpreted as reinforcing Watson's pole position.

Other notes from the week

Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond was evaluated for a concussion during the Bills game and cleared. He has reportedly been pushing Jerry Jeudy for a starting role after an impressive camp, according to a team spokesperson.

The Browns have four quarterbacks on the roster, including 2025 third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and 2026 sixth-round pick Taylen Green. Green is expected to see his first preseason action in the team's next game, at home against the New England Patriots on August 27. Whoever wins the starting job is likely to sit in that preseason finale, with the decision expected to come before then.