Cleveland released its first unofficial depth chart of the preseason, and at quarterback it reads: Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders. Both at QB1. One line, two names, one small word between them.
The reaction was immediate and mostly derisive — a team refusing to answer the only question anyone is asking. That reading is understandable and it is also wrong, because “OR” on a depth chart is a defined term.
What the notation actually says
Depth charts have a small vocabulary, and each option means something different:
| Listing | What it asserts |
|---|---|
| Player A above Player B | An order exists. A is ahead, even if narrowly. |
| Player A OR Player B | No separation. Neither is ahead. |
A team that wanted to duck the question has an easier option available: list one name on top and describe the competition as open in the press conference. That costs nothing and produces no headlines.
Writing “OR” is the more exposed choice. It is a team saying, in the one document that gets screenshotted, that a veteran with an enormous contract has not separated himself from a younger quarterback.
Why it is unusual at this position specifically
“OR” appears fairly often at receiver, on the offensive line, in the secondary — places where two players genuinely rotate and the distinction does not much matter.
Quarterback is different. It is the position where teams prefer to name someone even when they are unsure, because the naming itself is useful: it organises reps, it settles the locker room, and it stops the question being asked daily.
Declining to do that is a real signal, whichever way you read it — either the competition is genuinely level, or the team wants it understood that nothing has been awarded on reputation.
The part that actually resolves this. Forget the chart and watch the reps. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has indicated each quarterback gets one preseason start. That is a concrete, observable process with a defined end. Whoever gets the third meaningful piece of information — the extended run with the first-team offence after both starts are done — is the one the staff has chosen, regardless of what any depth chart says that week.
What we know about the sequencing
| Preseason opener, 15 August, vs Chicago | Deshaun Watson reported to start |
| A subsequent preseason game | Shedeur Sanders, under the one-start-each plan |
| After that | The staff moves closer to a decision |
Note what the order does not tell you. Starting the first preseason game is not an advantage in itself — coaches split these assignments for scheduling reasons as often as for merit, and the second start often comes against a defence playing more of its regulars.
How much a preseason depth chart is worth
Very little on its own, and teams say so themselves by labelling them unofficial. They are rewritten weekly through August, and the version that matters is the one that appears in September.
What this one is worth is the notation. A team that had decided would not have written “OR”. That is the whole of the news, and it is more than it looks.
The Cleveland Browns’ first unofficial preseason depth chart listing Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders as co-starters using the “or” designation, the criticism that followed, Todd Monken’s stated intention to give each quarterback one preseason start, and the report that Deshaun Watson would start the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on 15 August 2026, were reported by CBS Sports, A to Z Sports, Heavy, The Spun and other outlets in August 2026. The explanation of depth-chart notation is general football convention rather than a statement issued by the club. Preseason depth charts are explicitly unofficial and subject to change; the club’s own announcements are the authority on any starting decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the Browns’ starting quarterback?
Not settled. The first unofficial depth chart of the preseason lists the position as “Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders”, with both at QB1.
What does “OR” mean on a depth chart?
It is a standard designation meaning the players are genuinely level — no separation has been established. It is distinct from listing one player above another, which asserts an order even when the competition is close.
Is that unusual?
It is uncommon at quarterback, which is the one position where teams normally prefer to state an order even if it is provisional. That is why the listing drew criticism.
How will the decision be made?
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has indicated the plan is to give Watson and Sanders one preseason start each before moving closer to a decision.
Who starts the preseason opener?
Deshaun Watson was reported as starting the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on 15 August. Under the stated plan, that means Sanders takes a subsequent one.
Does the depth chart decide anything?
No. Preseason depth charts are explicitly unofficial and are frequently rewritten. They indicate where a competition stands on the day they are published, and nothing more.
