The Cleveland Browns closed the preseason with a 37-13 win over the visiting New England Patriots, and the final game before roster cutdowns provided a revealing look at the quarterback battle behind Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. 

Both Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green got extended looks with each playing a half, and both led scoring drives for Cleveland. The Browns were already in complete control at halftime with a 27-13 lead, but Green helped add 10 fourth-quarter points to put the Patriots away and wrap things up.

Todd Monken may have let the cat out of the bag

Browns coach Todd Monken may have tipped his hand on what Cleveland plans to do at quarterback heading into the 53-man roster deadline this weekend. After the game, Monken said:

“I really think the way they played was how I thought they would play. Dillon was very poised within himself, and then Taylen was going to have some splash plays, get him on the perimeter, use his athleticism, and keep working to refine his passing. It was fun to watch him play. But just like every position, we’re going to have to cut it down. We can’t keep everybody.”

The Browns only have four quarterbacks on their 90-man roster, and Monken is already saying they need to cut it down. That tells you Cleveland is not keeping four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster like some have speculated. Watson is the starter, Sanders is the backup, and the fight is between Gabriel and Green for the third and final spot.

Dillon Gabriel played well, but Taylen Green’s ceiling is hard to ignore

Gabriel, the third-round pick last year, was sharp on Thursday night. He completed 12-of-15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns against the Patriots. He ran the offense on time, he was accurate, he was poised, and he looked in control — exactly how you want your quarterback to play.

The problem is Gabriel is limited as a quarterback. The belief is that he was former coach Kevin Stefanski’s guy, and with Stefanski no longer around, Gabriel could be the odd man out. Cleveland likely knows what it has in Gabriel at this point, and Green presents a much higher ceiling at the position.

Green’s stat line was modest at 5-of-7 passing for 27 yards, but he added 66 rushing yards on just eight attempts with a long run of 30 yards. His 4.4 speed was on full display, and it looks like it could be a real weapon for the Browns if they choose to utilize it.

Either way, it’s clear the Browns are not keeping four quarterbacks around. The question now becomes whether Cleveland can find a trade partner for Gabriel or if they have to outright release him. Gabriel’s performance on Thursday night could generate some interest around the league.

It would be a surprise if Green is the one going away. His athletic upside and the developmental ceiling he brings appear to be exactly what Monken’s staff wants in the third quarterback spot on this roster.