Todd Monken withholds Browns backup quarterback decision before Jacksonville game
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 4:50 PM
Last updated Sep 9, 2026
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has not officially named a backup quarterback for the Week 1 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Deshaun Watson remains the starter, while Dillon Gabriel is sidelined for at least four weeks due to a back injury sustained during the final preseason game against the Chicago Bears. With Gabriel unavailable, competition exists between Taylen Green and Shedeur Sanders for the backup role. Monken indicated that rostering three quarterbacks on the active game-day list might not be feasible, citing the limited capacity for position depth. He also hinted at the potential for specialized packages involving Green. The final decision regarding the active roster and the depth chart is expected to be finalized when inactives are announced before Sunday’s kickoff.
- •Deshaun Watson is confirmed as the starting quarterback for the Browns.
- •Dillon Gabriel will miss at least four weeks with a back injury.
- •Todd Monken indicated three quarterbacks may be too many for the active game-day roster.
- •Taylen Green and Shedeur Sanders are competing for the secondary quarterback role.
- •The Browns face the Jacksonville Jaguars in their season opener on Sunday.
- 4:50 PMYahoo Sports — Todd Monken: Shedeur Sanders in line to be Browns backup QB vs. Jaguars
- 4:37 PMYahoo Sports — Browns HC Todd Monken announces Shedeur Sanders plan for Week 1
- 10:44 PMYahoo Sports — Cleveland Browns: Did Todd Monken tip his hand about the QB rotation?
"Browns head coach Todd Monken raised some eyebrows earlier this week when he said it's possible the team may use Taylen Green for a package of plays while also acknowledging that it would be difficult to have three QBs active on the gameday roster.
"Everyone assumed that Shedeur Sanders would be QB2 against Jacksonville. But what if the HC has another plan in mind?
"Cleveland's QB plan for Week 1 should not come as a surprise.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 4:50 PMTodd Monken: Shedeur Sanders in line to be Browns backup QB vs. Jaguars
Browns head coach Todd Monken raised some eyebrows earlier this week when he said it's possible the team may use Taylen Green for a package of plays while also acknowledging that it would be difficult to have three QBs active on the gameday roster.
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 4:37 PMBrowns HC Todd Monken announces Shedeur Sanders plan for Week 1
Cleveland's QB plan for Week 1 should not come as a surprise.
- Yahoo SportsSep 7, 2026, 10:44 PMCleveland Browns: Did Todd Monken tip his hand about the QB rotation?
Everyone assumed that Shedeur Sanders would be QB2 against Jacksonville. But what if the HC has another plan in mind?
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