By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-16 00:57:13 | Updated at 2026-08-16 01:34:35
1 hour ago
Shedeur Sanders' preseason performance for the Cleveland Browns was overshadowed by a humiliating blunder.
The Browns suffered a crushing 34-10 defeat to the Chicago Bears in the preseason opener on Saturday as Cleveland's quarterback battle rumbled on.
Deshaun Watson started for the Browns as he looked to cement his starting role over Sanders for the upcoming regular season, while the second-year quarterback and Dillon Gabriel also took snaps during the loss.
The game delivered a significant blow to Sanders' fight for the starting role in Cleveland following an offseason battle with Watson.
It was a mixed bag for Sanders, who was 6 for 11 for 79 yards while playing the third quarter and first part of the fourth.
However, his game was defined by an ugly interception in the fourth quarter when he sent the ball sailing way over the head of his receiver.
Shedeur Sanders' preseason performance for the Browns was overshadowed by a blunder
Sanders was 6 for 11 for 79 yards but threw a humiliating interception in the fourth quarter
Following the exhibition game, fans piled the misery on the young signal caller as they ripped into him over the interception.
'When Shedeur Sanders gets in that game, he CAN'T be out there throwing interceptions,' one fan wrote on X. 'This ain't the time for mistakes, he gotta play like his NFL life depends on EVERY snap… because right now, IT DOES.'
'If you are giving Deshaun and Shedeur the same grade I have no idea what game you were watching. Sanders looked completely lost out there,' claimed another.
A third questioned: 'What do people who want Shedeur Sanders to start really see in him? I really don't see why people are high on him. Holds the ball too long, inaccurate throws, runs backwards. I think he is a backup at best, there are many reasons he fell to the fifth round…'
'Shedeur I've fought the fight for as long as I could. You are a flunkie unfortunately,' added a fourth.
The interception came when Sanders, who started seven games as a rookie in 2025, was picked off by Beanie Bishop Jr. on a badly overthrown pass intended for Malachi Corley early in the final period.
'It was the right read,' Sanders said. 'It just slipped. ... I just didn't execute the decision, but the right decision was made.'
Meanwhile, Watson led the Browns on two scoring drives in the first half with Cleveland level with Chicago heading into halftime.
The second-year quarterback played the third quarter and first part of the fourth
Deshaun Watson was 11 for 15 for 126 yards after playing the first half against the Bears
The veteran was 11 for 15 for 126 yards but lost a fumble in his first game in almost two years.
Gabriel took the snaps in the fourth quarter after Sanders was picked off, going 5 for 8 for 23 yards.
'There were some things operationally that I know we can clean up, but I thought at moments we threw the ball well, and that's what we needed to see,' head coach Todd Monken said.
However, NFL fans were not in agreement with the coach as many tore into the Browns' quarterback situation on social media.
'Holy shit Gabriel. That was awful. lol. The Browns QB room is a wreck,' former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz wrote.
Annie Agar shared: 'preseason update: the browns have like 10 QBs on their roster and they all suck.'
'The Cleveland Browns seem to always be in a QB battle and always manage it in the absolutely worst imaginable way possible,' former quarterback Robert Griffin III added.
