Watson’s Preseason Return Marks Success Despite Uneven Performance Against Bears

Deshaun Watson made his first NFL appearance since October 2024 on Saturday, taking the field for one half against the Chicago Bears in a preseason contest. The Cleveland Browns quarterback, who suffered two Achilles tears during his recovery period, managed to stay healthy throughout his outing, a significant milestone in his return to competition.

Watson completed 11 of 15 pass attempts while helping the Browns score during his time on the field. He did not throw a touchdown pass and committed one fumble, which appeared to disrupt his rhythm—he completed 10 of his first 11 attempts before the turnover but managed only one completion on his final four tries.

Coach Todd Monken praised Watson’s performance, highlighting his work ethic and ability to enjoy the game despite the long layoff. “He was having fun today, and that is so cool,” Monken said, noting that Watson “functioned at a high level” during his appearance.

Watson’s performance gains additional significance when compared to his competitors for the starting position. Shedeur Sanders posted a passer rating of 39.6 and threw an interception, while Dillon Gabriel finished with a 27.1 rating and also threw an interception during the preseason game.

Moving forward, the Browns have structured their quarterback rotation for next week’s matchup against Buffalo, with Sanders starting and playing the first half, Watson taking the third quarter, and Gabriel appearing in the fourth quarter. The competition for the starting job remains active as the preseason progresses.