The Cleveland Browns opened the 2026 NFL preseason with a 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears on Saturday. Cleveland led early before giving up 34 straight points in a game where several defensive starters were held out, but mostly everyone else played. The Browns’ starting offense saw the field, and there were some encouraging signs mixed with familiar concerns. 

With joint practices against the Buffalo Bills and another preseason game on tap this week, here are 4 winners and 2 losers from Saturday’s action.

Winner: Deshaun Watson

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson didn’t have a special day in any way. He led 2 scoring drives and finished 11-of-15 for 126 yards with a fumble lost and 1 sack. He didn’t throw any touchdown passes. Still, this was his first return to action in 22 months after the Achilles injury that cost him the entire 2025 season. He looked as good as he ever looked in a Browns uniform, even if that’s not saying a lot. It’s a good starting point for his return to the field. If Watson wants to win the starting job and be a capable starter for Cleveland, it has to go up from here.

Winner: KC Concepcion

Rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion showed his worth quickly on Saturday. The speedy wideout hauled in three catches for 27 receiving yards, took a sweep 14 yards into the end zone for his first NFL touchdown, and ripped off a 31-yard punt return. Concepcion demonstrated exactly why the Browns are high on him after drafting him at the back end of the first round in April.

Winner: Dylan Sampson

Running back Dylan Sampson made one big play on Saturday, and it was a memorable one. Sampson found a seam, followed his blocker, showed great burst through a hole, broke a tackle, and took a catch-and-run 43 yards. If not for a bad angle running up the sideline, he likely would have gone the distance. Sampson is going to have an ability to create explosive plays for Cleveland this season as the second running back behind Quinshon Judkins.

Winner: Michael Coats Jr.

The undrafted rookie free agent has been making plays throughout training camp, and that carried over into Saturday’s preseason action. Coats finished with one pass breakup and one interception. It wasn’t all positive for the young defensive back. He had a couple of issues in coverage, but the interception and pass breakup stand out. The good that’s happening for him in practice is translating to game action. As long as the ankle injury he left the game with isn’t serious, Coats has a great shot at making this team.

Loser: Cedric Tillman

Former Browns draft pick Cedric Tillman is fighting for a roster spot, and he didn’t play Saturday due to injury. Tillman’s biggest issue throughout his career in Cleveland has been staying on the field. Starting the preseason on that foot is a bad sign for his chances of making the roster.

Loser: Dillon Gabriel

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel was easily the worst of Cleveland’s three quarterbacks on Saturday. The second-year signal caller went 5-of-8 with a interception and just 23 yards passing. The 23 yards on five completions reflected much of what the Browns saw last season, with Gabriel unwilling to push the ball downfield and settling for a dink-and-dunk approach. That’s not going to work. Gabriel is a player who doesn’t appear likely to make this team in the end, and Saturday did nothing to help his case.