Browns and Bears open the preseason with Deshaun Watson set for his first start under Todd Monken

The Cleveland Browns begin their preseason schedule in Chicago, and the focus for many fans will be immediate and specific: Deshaun Watson is expected to get his first start of the exhibition period. It is the kind of early-season staging opportunity coaches use to evaluate timing, decision-making, and chemistry with the wider group of players who are competing for roles.

This opener also marks Cleveland’s first taste of Todd Monken as head coach in game action. Monken, tasked with shaping the Browns’ offensive identity, will use preseason reps to evaluate how his quarterbacks operate within the planned structure and how quickly the offense can execute both base plays and adjustments. For supporters, the first preseason game is often the first clear report of how a new staff wants to run the offense week to week.

Beyond Watson, the Browns’ quarterback competition remains the central storyline. Yahoo Sports framed the biggest watch point as how that competition plays out, which suggests that while Watson’s start is meaningful, it will not be the only quarterback storyline from this game. Preseason starters can be assessed on command of the offense, but the results also influence how coaches manage the snaps among the rest of the position group.

For Chicago, the opponent matters less than the opportunity. Preseason matchups between teams are routinely used to sort out where the depth chart is solid and where it is still unsettled. The Bears will bring their own evaluation priorities into the game, especially as both teams work through the rotation of starters and reserves.

Because preseason games are structured around evaluation and roster management, individual performance should be read carefully. Coaches often keep longer-term considerations in mind, such as maintaining continuity with the core personnel they expect to use into the regular season while still giving enough looks to players competing for limited spots. In that context, Watson’s first start can be a useful benchmark without being the final chapter of Cleveland’s quarterback story.

For what to watch next, the immediate question is whether Cleveland’s offense looks coordinated early, then sustains that rhythm as the lineup changes. The quarterback competition subplot will likely continue through the next exhibition games, with additional starts and playing-time opportunities shaping how Cleveland’s coaching staff narrows the decision on the pecking order.