Cleveland prioritizes regular-season experience over raw athleticism, securing a roster spot for the precise Dillon Gabriel while leaving dynamic rookie Taylen Green’s future to the waiver wire.
The Cleveland Browns opted to play just second-year quarterback Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green in their final preseason game of the year on Thursday night against the New England Patriots.
Following the game, Browns head coach Todd Monken said the coaching staff was wrestling with what to do with the QB3 spot, noting that Gabriel had experience but Green showed impressive athletic ability against the Patriots.
Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Browns are putting Gabriel, a third-round pick in 2025, on the 53-man roster before Sunday's 6 p.m. EST deadline.
"Sources: Browns QB Dillon Gabriel is set to make Cleveland’s initial 53-man roster," Fowler posted on X.
Gabriel went 12 of 15 passing for 186 yards and three touchdowns against the Patriots. Green, a sixth-round pick this year, went 5 of 10 passing for 27 yards. But Green was noticeable as a runner, rushing eight times for 66 yards, including having a nifty 30-yard run.
On Saturday, Monken suggested Gabriel was more likely to make the 53-man roster than Green, noting the former Oregon quarterback had more experience in the league, playing for the Browns in the regular season last year.
“Like a lot of players, we don’t want to lose any good players that have a future with the Browns, so we’ve still got some discussions to have," Monken said. "But I was very impressed with both Dillon and Taylen. Both did it differently, but Dillon’s at least played.”
"He’s played last year, he’s gotten more reps than Taylen, so he looked like it, and he obviously operated very well. Taylen did the things we thought he would do, which was make some plays with his feet, and there were no issues in terms of the operation.”
Gabriel appeared in 10 games as a rookie, completing 59.5 percent of his passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. He could have a chance to play this season if Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders struggle early in the year.
As for Green, he appears to be an option for the Browns to add to the practice squad should he clear waivers.
(Update): Per Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns are keeping Green on the initial 53-man roster.
