| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | Rush Att | Rush Yds | TD/INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon Gabriel | 4/6 | 38 | 1 | 9 | 0/0 |
| Taylen Green | 3/5 | 29 | 2 | 14 | 0/0 |
Gabriel and Green Flash Potential in Final Preseason Tune-Up
Cleveland, OH - The Cleveland Browns' backup quarterback battle didn't settle a roster spot, but it handed fans a tempting preview of what's brewing beneath the surface. In Thursday’s 24 - 17 preseason finale loss to the Seattle Seahawks, undrafted rookie Dillon Gabriel and sixth-round pick Taylen Green finally got their moment to cook - short and sweet as it was.
Most of their work came in the second half. The pair combined for just 11 pass attempts, yet both made them count. Gabriel was sharp, hitting 4-of-6 throws for 38 yards, and he tacked on a 9-yard scramble to flash that mobility. Green answered with a tidy 3-of-5 showing for 29 yards and churned out two carries for 14 more. No touchdowns, no turnovers. For two rookies scrapping for any sliver of recognition, that's a clean, efficient, quietly encouraging night.
Now, the reality check. That performance won't punch either ticket to the initial 53-man roster. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Friday that Deshaun Watson remains the undisputed starter, with Jameis Winston locked in as the backup. Instead, both Gabriel and Green are expected to clear waivers and land on the practice squad, where the Browns plan to shape their raw upside away from the bright lights.
📊 11 total pass attempts combined - That’s all the runway Gabriel and Green got in the entire second half against Seattle, yet both made every rep count.
The Numbers Behind the Hype
It's tempting to ride the wave of a solid preseason cameo, but the full stat sheet tells a more measured story. Across four games, Gabriel completed 12-of-18 passes (66.7%) for 104 yards, with zero touchdowns and one interception. Green went 9-of-15 (60%) for 87 yards, adding a touchdown and avoiding picks. Neither player topped 11 snaps in any single outing, and the conservative play-calling - Cleveland leaned on the ground game hard, averaging 5.2 yards per carry - kept the passing volume painfully low.
| Player | Comp/Att | Comp % | Yards | TD | INT | Rush Yds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon Gabriel | 12/18 | 66.7% | 104 | 0 | 1 | 24 |
| Taylen Green | 9/15 | 60.0% | 87 | 1 | 0 | 38 |
That shortage of volume is exactly why the Browns are fine letting both hit waivers. League rules let teams stash up to two quarterbacks on the practice squad, and Cleveland is gambling no other franchise will swipe either young arm. It's a calculated bet, one that favors long-term development over short-term flexibility. Team insider Mary Kay Cabot pointed out that Green played the entire fourth quarter against Minnesota on Aug. 22 but threw just twice - proof the staff was more concerned with dissecting the run game than opening up the offense.
📊 30 total snaps each - That’s the entire preseason workload for Gabriel and Green combined. Huge red flags for production, but impossible to judge either QB on such a tiny sample size.
A Hidden Battle for 2027?
The oddsmakers are already peeking ahead. As of Friday morning, DraftKings lists Gabriel as the second-favorite to be Cleveland’s 2027 starting quarterback at +450, trailing only Jameis Winston - who's expected to test free agency after this season. Green sits close behind at +800.
