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Monken Sets Watson, Sanders Practice Split Ahead of Bears Game

8/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Todd Monken, who had not named a starter between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders by August 11, 2026, said Watson will work with starters Tuesday, Sanders Wednesday before August 15 game vs. Chicago Bears.
Watson, a $230 million quarterback who missed all of 2025 with a torn Achilles, is ranked 31st in the 2026 tier list.
Sanders finished 2025 with 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, ten interceptions and a 56.6 % completion rate in eight games.

History

Historical Context

When the Denver Broncos signed former Indianapolis Colts star Peyton Manning to a five-year, $96 million deal on March 20 2012, the league saw its first post-injury quarterback command a contract that shattered previous benchmarks. Manning’s record-setting 2013 season, highlighted by 55 touchdown passes, raised expectations for elite QBs and paved the way for later mega-deals such as Deshaun Watson’s multi-hundred-million contract.

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Story summary

Todd Monken, who had not named a starter between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders by August 11, 2026, said Watson will work with starters Tuesday, Sanders Wednesday before August 15 game vs. Chicago Bears.
Watson, a $230 million quarterback who missed all of 2025 with a torn Achilles, is ranked 31st in the 2026 tier list.
Sanders finished 2025 with 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, ten interceptions and a 56.6 % completion rate in eight games.

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