Bears vs. Browns live updates: Tracking Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson

The Cleveland Browns are one of the few NFL teams that still haven't decided on a starting quarterback for the 2026 NFL season. Cleveland's quarterback battle will kick into high gear on Saturday, Aug. 15, when the Browns face off against the Chicago Bears in their first game of the 2026 preseason.

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What is the story about?

The Cleveland Browns are one of the few NFL teams that still haven't decided on a starting quarterback for the 2026 NFL season.

Cleveland's quarterback battle will kick into high gear on Saturday, Aug. 15, when the Browns face off against the Chicago Bears in their first game of the 2026 preseason.

For Saturday's game, first-year coach Todd Monken has designated 10-year veteran Deshaun Watson as the team's starter. Watson is expected to play the first half before making way for his counterpart, Shedeur Sanders, at the start of the third quarter.

Monken has yet to tip his hand about who is winning the tight quarterback battle, but Saturday's action should give fans an idea of just how close the competition is.

Cleveland's quarterbacks won't be the

only players worth watching on Saturday. Rookie receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston are expected to be on the field for the first time in their careers, while Cleveland's new-look offensive line, which features four new starters, will be given an early chance to jell.

Meanwhile, the Bears plan to sit several starters in the preseason opener. Second-year coach Ben Johnson confirmed star quarterback Caleb Williams would not play and that backup Tyson Bagent would likely start and play half of Saturday's contest.

USA TODAY Sports is tracking the action between the Browns and Bears at Soldier Field on Saturday. Follow along for the latest updates, highlights and analysis from the preseason Week 1 clash.

When was Shedeur Sanders drafted?

11:15 AM ET, August 15 2026, Tom Viera

Sanders was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 144th overall selection. He was the sixth quarterback selected and the first taken on the draft's third day.