Shedeur Sanders throws for 79 yards, an interception vs. Bears

August 16, 2026 - 00:59

Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders had a rough outing in his preseason debut, completing just a handful of passes for 79 yards and throwing an interception in the second half against the Chicago Bears. The rookie signal-caller entered the game after Deshaun Watson finished a so-so first half, where Watson managed 126 yards through the air but failed to find the end zone.

Sanders, who was expected to show some flash in his first NFL action, instead looked tentative at times. He faced consistent pressure from the Bears' second-team defense and struggled to push the ball downfield. His lone interception came on a poorly thrown deep ball that hung in the air too long, allowing the safety to undercut the route.

The Browns ultimately lost the game, but the bigger takeaway is the uneven play from both quarterbacks. Watson was efficient but unspectacular, while Sanders showed why he is still a work in progress. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game that the team will review the film and expects Sanders to learn from the mistakes. With preseason games continuing, Sanders will likely get more chances to prove he belongs, but this first taste of NFL speed was a humbling reminder of the gap between college and pro defenses.