The final week of the NFL preseason is upon us, which means it’s decision week for all 32 teams around the league.
The Cleveland Browns made the biggest decision on Monday. They named Deshaun Watson their Week 1 starter, giving him the honor over Shedeur Sanders after his polarizing comments toward the fanbase.
That decision is one of many that will be made throughout the week as teams need to trim their rosters down to 53 players by Sunday evening. The Houston Texans and New England Patriots also made decisions on Monday, agreeing to a rare player swap in a trade that landed Houston a wide receiver.
As we’re just over two weeks away from the start of the regular season, here’s what you need to know from Monday’s news around the NFL.
The Cleveland Browns officially have a starting quarterback for the upcoming season.
Head coach Todd Monken officially announced on Monday morning that Deshaun Watson will be the team’s Week 1 starting quarterback. Following a competitive camp battle with second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Monken chose to give the nod to the veteran signal-caller.
“I took in the full body of work over the course of the offseason to training camp to the games, the joint practice, and ultimately felt like to start the season on the road, Deshaun [Watson] gave us the very best likelihood to maneuver the ball and rating factors,” Monken told reporters. “I imply, that’s actually what it’s about.”
Whereas highlighting the crew’s ongoing perception in Sanders, Monken careworn that the selection was strictly about rapid offensive manufacturing.
“I believe Shedeur [Sanders] has achieved an amazing job,” Monken told reporters. “Come a good distance and we’re enthusiastic about his future, however this isn’t a week-to-week choice.”
Watson hasn’t performed a full season since 2020 and has logged solely 19 begins in a Browns uniform. In these begins, his play has been mediocre at greatest, falling drastically in need of the huge three-first-round-pick haul Cleveland traded to convey him in.
Over three seasons in Cleveland, Watson has posted a 9–10 document whereas finishing 61.2% of his passes for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. With the choice now behind the Browns and Watson, all eyes shift in direction of Week 1 in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Houston Texans agreed to accumulate vast receiver Kayshon Boutte from the New England Patriots on Monday in trade for security Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round draft decide.
The Texans made the transfer to bolster their vast receiver depth following a season-ending ACL damage to Jayden Higgins throughout joint apply final week. Boutte will be part of Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones as new additions to the receiving room.
Boutte recorded 33 receptions for 551 yards and 6 touchdowns for the Patriots final season, however grew to become expendable after the crew traded for Professional Bowl vast receiver A.J. Brown. Additionally they signed former Inexperienced Bay Packers move catcher Romeo Doubs this offseason.
Boutte addressed the commerce hypothesis surrounding him throughout coaching camp final week.
“I am simply blocking out the noise,” Boutte informed reporters. “That is the primary factor. All of us hear the stuff that is occurring. However like I at all times mentioned, I am the place I am at. My toes are right here, so I am not apprehensive about what’s subsequent or what’s behind me. Simply being current.”
Boutte joins a Houston receiving group that options Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel and Tank Dell.
The Carolina Panthers obtained optimistic information on operating again Chuba Hubbard on Monday morning. Head coach Dave Canales introduced that Hubbard is on observe to be prepared for the Week 1 opener in opposition to the Chicago Bears.
Hubbard strained his hamstring earlier this month in coaching camp and nonetheless has but to play in any of the Panthers’ preseason video games whereas working his manner again to full energy.
“He’s anticipated to be prepared for Week 1,” Canales told reporters. “He hit over 20 miles per hour the opposite day, however that’s on a managed setting and proper now we don’t need to put him again on the market for somebody to drag on his jersey and for him to have to drag his manner via that. He’s forward of schedule and he’s doing an amazing job.”
Hubbard is seeking to bounce again after a irritating and regressive 2025 season tormented by a calf damage. The damage opened the door for Rico Dowdle, who took over the beginning job from Hubbard earlier than signing a free-agent take care of the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
Not solely is Hubbard anticipated to go well with up for the opener in opposition to the Bears, however Canales revealed the Panthers plan to ease him in with a shared backfield. Former second-round decide Jonathon Brooks is ready to share carries as a part of a committee strategy to start out the season.
If Hubbard struggles as soon as once more this season, Brooks has a real path to take over the backfield. The second-round pick of Texas has proven promise this preseason and possesses the expertise to develop right into a major starter so long as he can discover a method to keep wholesome.
All offseason lengthy, eyes have been on New York Giants vast receiver Malik Nabers and his knee restoration. Now, Nabers appears to be on track to play in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.
Whereas head coach John Harbaugh kept away from making any blanket statements on Nabers’ timeline, he informed reporters that “it is affordable to imagine” the receiver will probably be prepared for the beginning of the common season.
Jaxson Dart is ready for a giant season, however lots of that would depend upon the provision of Nabers. As soon as Nabers is formally again on the sphere, he’ll be part of a balanced group that features Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields, Darius Slayton and Odell Beckham Jr.
Nabers solely performed in 4 video games final season, however when he was on the sphere, he was probably the most explosive receivers within the league. Throughout these 4 contests, he hauled in 18 receptions for 271 yards (15.1 yards per catch) and two touchdowns.
The Dart and Nabers connection was placed on maintain in Week 4 when Nabers suffered a season-ending ACL and meniscus tear in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Damage Information & Notes
- New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson left practice early after slipping during a cut and had his right leg and ankle looked at, ESPN reported.
- Former Cincinnati Bengals tight end CJ Uzomah officially announced his retirement from the NFL.
- The Arizona Cardinals officially activated edge rusher Josh Sweat from the PUP list, first reported by ESPN.
- The Cardinals waived injured RB Trey Benson, per ESPN.
- Mike McCarthy told reporters that the Pittsburgh Steelers are at an “impasse” with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. as he remains sidelined on the physically unable to perform list.
- Miami Dolphins third-round pick WR Chris Bell (knee) practiced without a red non-contact jersey Monday, per the Sun Sentinel.
