Taylen Green finally received his opportunity to display his skills for the Cleveland Browns, and the sixth-round rookie immediately gave the organization reason for pause. While most of the preseason buzz centered on Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, Green entered the contest in the second half of Cleveland’s preseason finale against the New England Patriots.
Green took over for second-year signal-caller Dillon Gabriel, who had turned in a strong opening half. Gabriel connected on 12 of 15 attempts for 186 yards and three scores, offering an encouraging showing after a less consistent preseason.
Green makes his presence felt right away
Green opened his NFL preseason debut deep in his own territory and nearly moved the chains with his legs on third-and-9, coming up just one yard short. His next series generated even more excitement as he slipped away from pressure near his own goal line and turned a scrambled play into a productive gain.
The rookie then delivered two crisp short throws before flashing his mobility once more. Green picked up nine yards on third-and-5 and later added five yards on third-and-4. He also converted a quarterback sneak, keeping the drive alive.
Davon Booth eventually capped the possession with a 12-yard rushing touchdown. Green’s third drive produced another 12 rushing yards on two carries, though it stalled when he overthrew his intended receiver on third-and-9.
After Cleveland’s defense collected a late interception, Green got another chance to guide the offense into the end zone. The Browns ultimately settled for a field goal, wrapping up a 37-13 victory.
Green finished the contest 5-for-7 passing for 27 yards while carrying the ball eight times for a game-high 66 yards.
Preseason debut highlights rare physical traits
Green’s showing drew attention because his athleticism stands out even among quarterbacks. At the NFL combine in February, the Arkansas product posted a 43.5-inch vertical jump, an 11-foot-2-inch broad jump, and a 4.36-second 40-yard dash.
His vertical and broad jumps marked the best ever recorded by a quarterback at the combine, while his 40-yard dash ranked second-fastest at the position, trailing only Michael Vick. Green achieved those numbers while standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 230 pounds.
His production as both a passer and runner last season also explained why the Browns showed interest in his upside. Green threw for 2,714 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while averaging an SEC-best 13.7 yards per completion. He also rushed for 777 yards and eight scores.
There are clear shortcomings, however. Green completed only 60% of his passes during his college career, and his accuracy and ability to read an NFL defense remain areas needing growth. That blend of immense physical promise and raw quarterback skills makes him a fascinating preseason storyline.
Browns face tough roster call at quarterback
The Browns now confront a significant roster decision as cutdown day approaches Sunday. Cleveland could keep three quarterbacks, which is generally the standard number, or make the uncommon choice to carry four.
The team’s recent quarterback history provides some perspective on that possibility. Cleveland used three different starters last season, four the year before, and five the season prior. Watson, meanwhile, has started only 19 of 68 possible games since joining the Browns and suffered season-ending injuries in both 2023 and 2024.
Coach Todd Monken also offered a positive review of Green after the rookie saw limited snaps. According to The Athletic’s Zac Jackson, Monken said Green “played pretty well” during limited reps against the Bills in joint practice the previous week. He also noted that both Green and Gabriel have received very few opportunities because of the quarterback competition.
Green and Gabriel await their fate
Gabriel’s situation makes the decision particularly challenging. Releasing him would be hard because, although he was not chosen by the current coaching staff, he was drafted by the same front office led by general manager Andrew Berry. His preseason had not been particularly smooth, but his performance against New England provided a strong answer.
Green presents a different kind of dilemma. His sixth-round draft status means he could realistically compete for a third- or fourth-string role or a spot on the practice squad. However, his rare athletic profile could make it tough for Cleveland to sneak him through waivers and onto the practice squad if the team lets him go.
The Browns already resolved their starting quarterback question at the start of the week. Now they must determine how many quarterbacks they want to keep behind him, with both Green and Gabriel giving the organization plenty to weigh before the roster deadline.