The quarterback battle in Cleveland is in its most important stretch and Shedeur Sanders says it’s not changing anything for him.
Sanders spoke to reporters Wednesday about what’s at stake in the next few days, a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday and his start in Saturday’s home preseason game.
#Browns Shedeur Sanders throws deep pic.twitter.com/5HRYSsnqVA
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) August 20, 2026
First-year coach Todd Monken isn’t under a timeline to name a starter between Sanders and Deshaun Watson, ESPN reports, but has pointed to the preseason finale against New England as a possible dress rehearsal.
Sanders brushed aside any additional meaning to the moment. “I don’t really feel anxiety or any pressure going into things like that anymore,” he said, describing his outlook as no different than any other workday.
He heads into the week having split first-team reps with Watson throughout camp. Watson began the preseason opener, and Sanders came in during the third quarter against Chicago and finished 6-of-11 passing for 79 yards and an interception.
The joint session on Thursday will again split first-team snaps between the two quarterbacks but Sanders could take Saturday’s field without Cleveland’s full starting offense.
Brown’s coach, Phil Monken and Bills coach, Joe Brady have talked about resting starters in the exhibition if both sides get enough work in practice.
The Browns’ decision is still up in the air with the regular-season opener at Jacksonville on September 13 looming


