Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson grabbed all the headlines during the NFL offseason as the duo competed to win the starting role. Todd Monken evaluated the duo throughout the offseason, training camp and preseason, and it was Watson who eventually came out on top of the competition.
Watson was returning to competitive football after missing the entire 2025 NFL season because of an Achilles tendon injury. He took some time to adjust but was able to get the job done and win the starting job after the Browns’ two preseason games against the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills. But this decision doesn’t secure the Browns’ long-term future as the veteran’s $230 million contract runs through the 2026 season.
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So, Monken also needs to look at the Browns’ future at the position. Which brings us to the likes of Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green. While Sanders has settled into the backup role and Gabriel has seeming done enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, Green’s future hangs in the balance.
Monken has to decide whether to keep Green on the roster or not before the August 30 cutdown deadline, and Green has sent a message to Monken and the Browns, making it clear he wants to stay in Cleveland.
Speaking to the media, Green said, “The Browns drafted me, so that always means a lot. Not only to my family, but to myself. Learning the community, and getting to know people and getting to know the city. It really means a lot to me. So, I would love to be a Cleveland Brown.”
Green played in the second half of the Browns’ final preseason game against the New England Patriots. He completed 5 of 7 passes for 27 yards and rushed for 66 yards, including his eye-catching 30-yard scramble. Green impressed with his dual-threat ability throughout his time on the field. Now the ball is in Monken’s court as he decides Green’s future in Cleveland.
