By most accounts, people believe that Taylen Green is the third quarterback for the Cleveland Browns behind Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. With Dillon Gabriel currently on the injured reserve, Green’s QB3 position is secured even more. But there is a chance that he comes to Week 1 with an even more important role on the team, according to Zach “Chopz” Frydenlund.
Speaking on ESPN Cleveland, Frydenlund predicted that Green will be the second-string quarterback behind Watson, while Sanders will sit out the game, deemed an emergency QB.
“Taylen Green: QB2. Shedeur Sanders: inactive, emergency QB Week 1,” Frydenlund proclaimed.
.@Pchopz_'s Browns week 1 hot take:
Taylen Green will be QB2. Shedeur Sanders will be inactive and the emergency QB3 😯.
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/sWdwFmsjeC
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 2, 2026
If Todd Monken decides to go this route, he’d better be ready to hear a lot of pushback. He already heard many complaints when he settled on Watson as QB1, but people held onto hope of Sanders getting his chance at that job later in the season.
If Monken puts Green at QB2, it’ll create even more confusion and uncertainty about what’s next for Sanders. However, it may be exactly what Green needs. If Monken wants to test and develop the young quarterback even more, the beginning of the season might be the perfect time to do it.
The team is fresh, ready to play, and without many injuries. With a 0-0 record, Week 1 might be the right time to put a reasonable amount of pressure on Green and see what he can do.
The young Green has talent but plenty of room to grow. Playing QB2 behind Watson could give him a chance to improve his defense-reading skills and adjust to being in the bright lights of the NFL field.
However, the Browns have already created such a firestorm with their quarterback situation and their choices revolving around Watson and Sanders. What are the chances that they are willing to have more controversy?
Monken has always said he is going to make the decisions that he believes will help the team win more. If he feels that Green at QB2 is the correct approach, he has the right to make that choice.
But there is no doubt that it’ll drum up even more questions and some negative responses from those who have already had enough of the QB drama in Cleveland.
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