Deshaun Watson might be the chosen starter at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns as the 2026 season begins, but there will be plenty of competition in the quarterback room for the franchise this fall.
The Browns are taking an unexpected route at the quarterback position as they finalize their 53-man roster ahead of the start of the season. With the battle between Watson and Shedeur Sanders raging throughout the preseason, there was uncertainty as to whether second-year quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the team's sixth-round 2026 NFL Draft pick, Taylen Green, would make the final roster.
But reports on Sunday state that both Gabriel and Green will be kept on the final roster, with the Browns taking four quarterbacks into the season.
Browns rookie
QB Taylen Green has made the 53-man roster, per source. (@MaryKayCabot first). So Cleveland is expected to keep all 4 QBs — Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Green — on its initial 53-man roster.
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) August 30, 2026
Green is reportedly considered a "developmental prospect" by the Browns, and he saw very limited action in the preseason, making his debut only in the team's final preseason contest this week. But he earned nearly half of the team's offensive snaps in that outing and certainly impressed, going 5-of-7 passing for 27 yards and adding eight rushes for 66 yards, including a 30-yard run.
Gabriel was less than impressive in the first two preseason games, as he went 5-for-9 for 23 yards and one interception. But he shined in the team's final outing as well, going 12-for-15 for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Now, both will continue to compete for the backup job with Shedeur Sanders as the season begins.
And while Watson has been named the starter, he looked less than impressive during his last preseason appearance, going 5-for-12 for 36 yards and one interception. And given that the Browns started three different quarterbacks last season, it's safe to say any of these four men could earn the starting role before the year ends.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Browns make an unorthodox move at QB as 53-man rosters are finalized
