The Cleveland Browns’ 34-10 preseason loss to the Chicago Bears on Saturday at Soldier Field offered little encouragement for a fan base long weary of quarterback uncertainty, and Browns fans are now clamoring for rookie signal-caller Taylen Green to get a chance.
Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel each took their turns under center, and none delivered a performance that inspired confidence. The offense managed just 10 points—all in the first half—before sputtering to a halt as the Bears pulled away with 34 unanswered points.
Watson started and played the entire first half in his first game action since tearing his Achilles in 2024. He completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards and guided two scoring drives, including a field goal and a 14-yard touchdown run by rookie KC Concepcion. Yet the outing was far from dominant.
Watson lost a fumble on a strip-sack, scrambled for minimal gains, and saw the offense stall after that early momentum. The short, conservative throws and inability to sustain drives left the impression of a quarterback still searching for rhythm rather than asserting control.
Sanders entered in the third quarter and fared worse. The second-year quarterback went 6-of-11 for 79 yards with an interception. He showed flashes early, including some downfield connections, but the drive into the red zone ended on a failed fourth-down run, and a three-and-out followed.
His final series ended with an ugly interception that essentially sealed the lack of second-half production. Against mostly Bears backups, the results raised more questions than they answered about his readiness to lead.
Gabriel closed the game in the fourth quarter and looked equally unready. Completing just 5 of 8 passes for 23 yards, he threw an interception of his own and absorbed costly sacks. The limited yardage and turnovers underscored how far the third-string option remains from contributing meaningfully.
Combined, the three quarterbacks produced no passing touchdowns, multiple turnovers, and an offense that generated almost nothing after the first half.
So, what about Green?
The Browns’ depth chart lists Green — the athletic sixth-round rookie from Arkansas known for his dual-threat ability and elite speed — as the fourth option. He did not see the field Saturday, much to the chagrin of Cleveland fans.
In the wake of another uneven preseason showing, frustrated fans are increasingly vocal about giving the mobile Green a chance, whether in situational packages or simply to inject energy and athleticism into an attack that looked stagnant.
With the quarterback competition continuing and Sanders scheduled to start next week against the Bills, the calls for a fresh look at Green are only growing louder.
Perhaps head coach Todd Monken will turn the reins to Green at some point versus Buffalo.
