{"id":636251,"date":"2026-05-11T08:55:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T08:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/636251\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T08:55:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T08:55:35","slug":"browns-hc-todd-monken-gives-up-on-rookie-qbs-future-at-otas-amid-grim-shedeur-sanders-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/636251\/","title":{"rendered":"Browns HC Todd Monken Gives Up on Rookie QB\u2019s Future at OTAs Amid Grim Shedeur Sanders Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cleveland Browns<\/a> rookie quarterback Taylen Green managed to turn heads during the rookie minicamp on Friday. But with Cleveland\u2019s quarterback room already crowded, head coach Todd Monken also offered the sixth-round pick a quick reality check ahead of OTAs. Speaking from minicamp, Monken said<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s exciting to have him out here and let him just play through some things. Obviously, this is the time for him to get reps. Once we get into OTAs, you know, in another week, that\u2019s really going to diminish. I mean, you\u2019re not going to see as much of him because of the numbers. But I\u2019m excited. I\u2019m excited for him. He\u2019s a great kid, and everything we\u2019ve heard about him so far is maturity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watch What\u2019s Trending Now!<\/p>\n

Browns head coach Todd Monken explains that this is the time for rookie QB Taylen Green, because his reps will decrease in OTAs.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to see as much of him because of the numbers. pic.twitter.com\/XdyiGNM4Gl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Nick Pedone (@NickPedone12) May 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Even though Green is only days into his NFL career, the 23-year-old already impressed scouts and Cleveland\u2019s coaching staff throughout the pre-draft process thanks to his athletic profile and production across stops at Boise State and Arkansas.<\/p>\n

Green stands at 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds, and his testing numbers at the NFL Combine immediately grabbed attention. He posted a quarterback-record 43.5-inch vertical, an 11-foot-2 broad jump, and ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, which became the third-fastest time ever recorded by a quarterback at the event.<\/p>\n

He now enters the NFL after appearing in 53 collegiate games, throwing for 9,662 yards, 59 touchdowns, and 35 interceptions while also adding 2,405 rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns. So, there is no denying Green has the physical tools and overall profile to be in the NFL eventually.<\/p>\n

The problem is the situation he walked into. Cleveland\u2019s quarterback room already includes Deshaun Watson<\/a>, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel alongside Green, which makes it easy to understand why his reps will naturally decrease once the full offseason program begins.<\/p>\n

Right now, Watson is still viewed as the favorite to start, with either Sanders or Gabriel potentially backing him up. Monken has also made it clear that he wants the Browns to identify a starting quarterback before training camp<\/a> officially begins. That means most of the meaningful OTA reps are expected to go toward Watson, Sanders, and Gabriel.<\/p>\n

Green certainly stood out during the rookie minicamp, but there was context attached to that performance as well. The only other quarterback participating alongside him was Bryson Barnes, who attended camp on a tryout basis. Once OTAs begin, Green will officially enter a much more crowded competition, which is exactly why Monken openly admitted his reps would become limited.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Green remains a developmental prospect heading into Year 1. His dual-threat ability is obvious, and he has even compared parts of his game to Lamar Jackson<\/a>. But there is still one major concern surrounding him: turnovers.<\/p>\n

During his time at Arkansas, Green accounted for 37 turnovers, while finishing his college career with 35 interceptions overall. It is also an issue that the quarterback fully recognizes himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to do a better job of securing the ball,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s my responsibility. Every single play, I have the responsibility to hold the ball or carry the ball. Every single play, I touch the ball. That\u2019s one of the perks of quarterback. The ball is the team, the team is the ball. So just take more responsibility and be more aware of those things.\u201d<\/p>\n

For now, Green still has time to maximize his opportunities before the rookie minicamp wraps up on May 10. After that, he will likely settle deep into the depth chart while the Browns focus most of their attention on the Watson-Sanders-Gabriel quarterback battle.<\/p>\n

And while Watson and Sanders are still expected to compete for the QB1 role, the outside narratives around Sanders entering his second NFL season have not exactly been encouraging.<\/p>\n

Year two could start the same way for Shedeur Sanders<\/p>\n

Shedeur Sanders entered his rookie season buried on the depth chart as a third-string quarterback. Fast forward to this offseason, and there was real optimism surrounding his chances of earning the starting job in Year 2. But while many expected Sanders to at least settle in as Deshaun Watson\u2019s backup, Tony Grossi believes Dillon Gabriel could ultimately win that role, leaving Sanders back as the third-string quarterback once again<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cGabriel\u2019s a guy who\u2019ll just keep quiet. He\u2019ll study; he\u2019ll stay up on the game plan, he\u2019ll support the starter in any way he can,\u201d Grossi said on ESPNCleveland. \u201cHe\u2019ll run the scout team, and if needed, he\u2019ll play. That\u2019s what you want out of a backup quarterback.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gabriel opened his rookie year backing up Joe Flacco before eventually taking over as the starter in Week 5. He finished the season with 937 passing yards and seven touchdowns. However, after Gabriel suffered a concussion, Sanders stepped into the lineup and held onto the starting role for the remainder of the season.<\/p>\n

While Gabriel went 1-5 across six starts, Sanders finished the year throwing for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns while posting a 3-4 record. Still, heading into Year 2, Grossi does not necessarily view Sanders as an ideal backup option.<\/p>\n

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Imago<\/p>\n

\u201cShedeur\u2019s shadow is so huge. I think it\u2019s one of the reasons teams shied away from him in the draft. If you didn\u2019t like him as the starter, you did not consider him as a backup,\u201d Grossi added.<\/p>\n

The conversation around Sanders\u2019 QB1 chances first shifted when reports surfaced last month that Watson held a clear edge over him during voluntary minicamp. Fast forward to now, and although the quarterback competition is still expected to continue, Grossi\u2019s comments added another layer to the uncertainty surrounding Sanders\u2019 role heading into his second NFL season.<\/p>\n

That also means the Browns are once again entering the offseason program with questions surrounding the quarterback room. Whether this competition finally brings clarity or turns into another messy situation like last year remains to be sen.<\/p>\n