There’s an old joke about outrunning a bear in the woods. The punchline is you don’t need to be faster than the bear, just faster than your friend. Deshaun Watson exemplified this idea on Saturday in his preseason return to the NFL after a long hiatus.
Watson’s Preseason Grand Success
Watson played in a preseason game against the Chicago Bears, marking his first NFL action since 2024. He outperformed fellow quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Although Watson’s performance wasn’t stellar, it was superior to his competitors, solidifying his position.
“Definitely a good moment for myself,” Watson said about his outing.
This sentiment reflects his return after dual Achilles injuries in October 2024 and early 2025. Leaving the field unscathed was a triumph in itself.
Performance Analysis
Watson’s play during the game was neither exceptional nor poor. In comparison to Sanders and Gabriel, Watson stood out. This comparison is crucial since he is competing with Sanders for the starting quarterback role. Gabriel is currently the third option.
Head coach Todd Monken praised Watson, noting his ability to overcome frustrations and challenges to perform. Watson completed 11 of 15 passes and led the team to score while on the field. However, he didn’t throw a touchdown and lost a fumble.
Outcomes and Future Prospects
Despite the fumble, Watson began strong, completing 10 of his first 11 passes. After the turnover, he only managed to complete one of his last four attempts. Still, Monken expressed satisfaction with Watson’s performance.
Sanders and Gabriel both struggled, each throwing interceptions and recording low passer ratings of 39.6 and 27.1, respectively. These performances were against backup players, spotlighting their difficulties.
Sanders will start in the upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills. He’ll play the first half, followed by Watson in the third quarter and Gabriel in the fourth. The competition for the starting quarterback role continues.