Monken's Shedeur Sanders call could cost the Browns Taylen Green's 4.36-speed edge sunday

Cleveland spent a week teasing a rookie wrinkle, then chose safety over creativity. Todd Monken settled the Browns' backup quarterback question Wednesday in Berea, telling reporters he expects Shedeur Sanders to dress as the No. 2 behind Deshaun Watson for Sunday's opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

That answer walks back the more intriguing idea Monken had floated earlier in the week, when the first-year head coach raised the possibility of activating rookie Taylen Green for a handful of designed snaps.

The problem was math. Monken admitted a three-quarterback game-day plan "would be hard," and he made clear he does not want three passers dressed at once.

Here is the tradeoff that decision creates. Green, a sixth-round pick in April, stands 6-foot-6 and ran a 4.36-second 40, the kind of frame and burst that begs for goal-line packages and short-yardage snaps.

But if he sits as the emergency third quarterback, he does not count against the 53-man roster and can only enter if both Watson and Sanders are hurt and cannot return. That rule quietly kills any chance of using those trick concepts in a real game.

Slot Green in as the true backup instead, and Cleveland could steal first downs or a touchdown near the pylon whenever it wanted. For now, Sanders holds the job while he and Green split scout-team snaps in practice. Monken also tabbed veteran Teven Jenkins as his starting right guard over third-round pick Austin Barber.

Deshaun Watson's $230 Million Contract Keeps Him in Cleveland Regardless of How He Plays

The backup debate misses the bigger truth about this roster: Watson is staying put no matter what happens Sunday. NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that even if Sanders eventually overtakes him, the Browns plan to keep Watson through the full 2026 campaign.

"No matter how Deshaun Watson's latest shot to show he can play well and stay healthy goes, it's a good bet Cleveland will keep him on the roster all season," Pelissero wrote. "The Browns believe Watson's experience is valuable even if/when Shedeur Sanders replaces him as the starter."

The money explains the patience. The 2026 season is the last guaranteed year of the five-year, $230 million deal Watson signed after his 2022 trade from the Houston Texans to Cleveland.

Pelissero noted the contract is set up around a post-June 1 designation that softens the cap hit, though Watson has to be on the roster in March for that path to open. Cutting him sooner would be costly, so the Browns will wait.

That leaves a crowded room. Dillon Gabriel, a former third-round pick, landed on injured reserve after a strong preseason finale and will sit out the season's opening four weeks. Green sits third for now. If Watson plays his way to the bench, the 30-year-old should slide to the back of the depth chart with little reason to resurface.

The three-time Pro Bowler is coming off consecutive Achilles surgeries that erased his 2025 season. Cleveland's real quarterback future runs through Sanders, Gabriel, and Green, plus whatever first-round passer the Browns chase in 2027.

More NFL news:

• Shedeur Sanders predicted to lose Browns QB battle as Watson favored to start despite rookie's camp push
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• 49ers' cheapest bet in 2026 might be a zero-star recruit from Georgetown playing linebacker on $4.88 million
• Shedeur Sanders could thrive in Todd Monken's offense despite lacking Lamar Jackson's legs