In Cleveland, the Browns’ quarterback competition entered a critical week on the practice field and in preseason play. Second‑year quarterback Shedeur Sanders earned snaps with the first‑team offense on Monday and Wednesday, and he will start the second preseason game Saturday against the Buffalo Bills. He also receives reps during Thursday’s joint practice with the Bills, giving coaches a direct comparison of the two signal‑callers.
Sanders’ outlook
Sanders told reporters Wednesday that he is treating each day the same, refusing to add extra pressure to the upcoming opportunities. “I think every day is important, honestly,” he said. “I don’t really feel anxiety or any pressure going into things like that anymore, because that’s how I approach everything. It’s just another day of going to work, that’s all it is for me.”
Last weekend, Sanders played three second‑half series in a 34‑10 loss to the Chicago Bears, completing six of 11 passes for 79 yards and throwing an interception on a badly overthrown pass. He hopes the joint practice and Saturday’s game will demonstrate improvement.
Coaching plan
Head coach Todd Monken outlined a split‑snap approach for Thursday’s joint practice, giving each quarterback five first‑team snaps. On Saturday, Sanders will handle the first half, with Watson entering in the third quarter. Monken said the practice against Buffalo serves as a “measuring stick” for both individual players and the roster as a whole, allowing coaches to evaluate scheme familiarity and confidence.
“Individually and collectively, the players will see where they are,” Monken explained. “Coaches look at where we are as a team, schematically, and use that to build confidence moving forward and evaluate the roster.”
Watson’s perspective
Veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson, who led the Browns to points in two of his six series in the first preseason game, also downplayed the competition. He completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards and said he feels fine after his first game action in 22 months.
“My main focus is just trying to improve. I’m not really focused on the competition,” Watson said. “The front office and Coach Monken will make the decision, and I can control my opportunities and reps, and be successful with that.”
What’s at stake
The Browns open the regular season on September 13 in Jacksonville, and the coaching staff will decide which quarterback starts based on performance in these preseason opportunities. Both players are eager to prove they can lead the offense, and the joint practice against the Bills offers a rare side‑by‑side look at how each handles a different defensive scheme.
Fans in Cleveland will be watching closely as the competition unfolds, hoping the eventual starter can guide the team to a successful season.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
