Watson had an uneven practice while handling the first-team repetitions after being named Cleveland’s starting quarterback.
He made several sound decisions, including stepping up against pressure before checking the ball down to Ahmani Marshall and taking another available checkdown to Dylan Sampson. Watson also connected with Harold Fannin Jr. in the red zone, found him on a naked boot into the flat and completed two more passes to him during the two-minute drill, including a fourth-down conversion. He opened that drive with a completion to Gage Larvadain and hit Denzel Boston on a quick play-action drag earlier in practice. The inconsistency showed up through several missed opportunities. Watson overthrew Jerry Jeudy on an early vertical route, missed Blake Whiteheart on a red-zone stick route and could not connect with Jeudy on a back-shoulder attempt. He also missed Malachi Corley during the two-minute period and faced pressure that likely would have resulted in multiple sacks. The first-team offense ultimately failed to create a winning field-goal opportunity before time expired. Watson’s ability to change plays and protections at the line of scrimmage remained his biggest strength and the most important reason he earned the starting job.
Lance Reisland·
Sanders showed some encouraging poise after entering in the second half, but his performance was ultimately hurt by one costly interception. He finished 6-of-11 for 79 yards with one interception and a 39.6 passer rating. His first completion came off play action to Gage Larvadain for 24 yards, and his best throw followed a fumbled snap. Facing third-and-13 with Chicago bringing heavy pressure, Sanders stayed in the pocket and hit Luke Floriea on a deep over for 35 yards while taking a hit. It was Cleveland's second-longest offensive play of the game and showed his willingness to stand in against pressure and deliver the ball. Sanders flashed more pocket awareness later when he stepped up to avoid pressure and found Ahmani Marshall underneath. The biggest negative came on a play that appeared to be a variation of Dagger, with Kole Wilson running vertically and Malachi Corley working underneath on the dig. Sanders sailed the throw intended for Corley, allowing Beanie Bishop Jr. to intercept it and return it 34 yards. The interception was a major mistake and dragged down Sanders' final numbers, but there were still positive reps before it, particularly the 35-yard completion under pressure and his ability to navigate the pocket.
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