Taylen Green seems to be the fourth QB on the Browns' depth chart, but it's not that simple
Taylen Green is, one would assume, QB4 in Cleveland with the Browns heading into summer preseason camp. He's not higher than Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders. He might be able to beat out Dillon Gabriel for QB3 and move up on the depth chart, but Green is clearly not a top-two quarterback in the Dawg Pound. Given this reality, one might think Green -- of the four rostered quarterbacks in Cleveland -- occupies the most precarious position of the four quarterbacks. Yet, it might not be that simple, as this article from the Sporting News via Yahoo! Sports explains:
"Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report counts the Browns among the most quarterback-desperate teams in the league.
"'When you have four quarterbacks entering an open competition, you don't have a clear starter, and Deshaun Watson is reportedly emerging as the early offseason front‑runner, which should be a major concern for the Cleveland Browns,' Knox explained.
"As Knox mentioned, it has to be majorly concerning if Watson is legitimately considered your best quarterback option in the year 2026. It's not hard to imagine the Browns struggling mightily in 2026, no matter who is playing quarterback. Assuming the Browns do struggle again next season, they should have plenty of options in the draft. Arch Manning, Dante Moore, C.J. Carr are just some of the quarterbacks expected to go early in 2027.
"As mentioned above, Watson is currently seen as the favorite to land the job in 2026. However, Watson hasn't seen the field since 2024, and his performance wasn't exactly that impressive. It's been a very long time since Watson looked like a Pro Bowler, both due to off-field reasons and injuries. Sanders had an ugly stat line as a rookie, but there could be some hope that the Colorado product could improve with a better supporting cast. The Browns used two early draft picks on wide receivers, and also drafted tackle Spencer Fano in the first round to hopefully improve their offensive line. Still, no matter who wins the job, it's hard to have much confidence in the team going forward until they secure a franchise passer."
This discussion brings up the point that the Browns, in search of that franchise passer, are likely to eventually part with Watson (whom they are currently keeping because his price tag is too high and his value is low). They will probably part with either Shedeur or Gabriel, more likely Gabriel. Taylen Green might currently be fourth on the depth chart, but because he has that "Taysom Hill special situation" identity as a change-of-pace QB, he's not going to be considered a real threat to be a starter. Paradoxically -- and counterintuitively -- that might actually help him stay in the QB room in 2027 if the Browns get a highly-rated QB at the top of the draft board. Green not being starter material could actually make his backup spot as the changeup QB more secure, not less.
It will be fascinating to see how this drama unfolds not only in 2026, but at the 2027 draft.