The Browns may have finished their quarterback competition for now, but the conversation around that room is nowhere close to done. With Cleveland’s final preseason game set for Thursday night, attention is shifting away from Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders and toward the other names waiting behind them.
That matters because a lot of Browns fans are already bracing for Watson to play six or fewer games, which could open the door for Sanders sooner than later. If that happens, Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green would be next in line, depending on how Cleveland’s initial 53-man roster shakes out.
Green, in particular, is starting to draw real buzz. After Gabriel started last season, plenty of fans are eager to see what the athletic Green can bring if he gets a shot. Luke Easterling went so far as to label Green the Browns’ “most talented quarterback” while breaking down underrated rookies who could make an impact this year:
That would be Green, who brings a rare skill set with his combination of size (6-6, 230), arm strength, and elite speed/athleticism. He still needs a ton of refinement when it comes to being an efficient, consistent passer from the pocket, but he was well worth a sixth-round pick after the promise he showed at Arkansas. It’ll take some time, but Green’s potential is through the roof.
The intrigue around Green doesn’t stop there. Seth Walder of ESPN sees him as a player who could be pushing for a starting role by the end of this season, with Cleveland eventually building its 2027 quarterback picture around him and an early draft pick.
Cleveland’s 2027 quarterback competition will be between a first-round pick and ... Taylen Green.
This essentially is a bet that Green will be starting for the Browns by the end of 2026. He might be the fourth-string quarterback at the moment, but I hardly think this is far-fetched, considering the poor track records of Watson (as a Brown), Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
That kind of outlook fits with what Todd Monken wants from the position. His preference for explosive quarterback plays makes Green’s running ability and big arm stand out even more, especially if Watson, Sanders, or Gabriel stumble as the 2026 season unfolds.
In Other News...
Browns Just Made Their New Offensive Direction Impossible To Miss
The Browns roster trim before their preseason finale against the Patriots sent a clear signal about where the offense is headed. Releasing Cedric Tillman, a 2023 third-round pick, marked the end of a run that never really got off the ground, with injuries and uneven production limiting him to 71 catches, 833 yards and five touchdowns over three seasons.
What stands out now is how directly that move fits the broader reset under new head coach Todd Monken. Cleveland is making room for younger receivers such as KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, and the decision to move on from Tillman only reinforces that this offense is being shaped around a different kind of future. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Still Have Two Roster Issues That Could Force A Trade
The Browns have already started patching one hole on the edge, signing Derek Barnett after Alex Wrights injury thinned out the defensive end group. But even with that move, Cleveland is still looking around the roster for ways to get deeper and more balanced before the regular season arrives, and the trade market remains part of the conversation as the front office keeps evaluating where help is still needed.
That search has touched both sides of the ball, with the Browns linked to edge options such as Kayvon Thibodeaux, Josh Sweat, Jacob Martin and Azeez Ojulari while also weighing whether wide receiver David Bell could become a movable piece. Running back depth is another spot under review, which tells you Cleveland is still treating this as a live roster-building period rather than a finished project. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Just Sent A Clear QB Message Before Week 1
The Browns are heading into their final preseason game against the New England Patriots with the usual late-August priorities in place, meaning most of the attention is shifting to the lower-tier roster players who are fighting to stick around. Cleveland plans to rest its starters, which makes the quarterback situation even more notable because the team has already made its early hierarchy clear heading toward Week 1.
Todd Monken has named Deshaun Watson the starter, with Shedeur Sanders backing him up, a setup that adds another layer to an already watched quarterback room. Even with the preseason winding down, the decision keeps the focus on how the Browns view the position and what the competition has meant inside the building as the regular season approaches. [Read more 🡒]