The Cleveland Browns probably do not need to add more drama to their quarterback room, but on Friday as they opened their minicamp for the team’s new rookies, it became clear that they were at least weighing the option of doing so. That’s because the Browns brought a new guy into the familiar mix, with dual-threat star Bryson Barnes getting a look on a tryout basis, per Browns reporter Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland. Barnes was a walk-on at Utah and played for the Utes for three seasons before transferring to Utah State where he blossomed.
Barnes is not officially on the roster, but was added to the team’s rookie group for a look to help give the team more options, with sixth-round pick Taylen Green the only rostered addition to the team’s quarterback room this offseason.
While Barnes landing a roster spot himself is a longshot, he is a name worth remembering if and when the Browns go looking for depth as the spring and summer progress. Barnes has the kind of skillset that coach Todd Monken appreciates–he set Utah State’s all-time record for 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback, with five, and added 10 touchdowns, also a quarterback record for the Aggies.
Browns Got First Look at Taylen Green
Of course, there was a Browns rookie quarterback on hand who is likely to be on the roster in 2026, and that’s Green, who is a dual-threat weapon of his own. The Browns have been clear that Green might not be a competitor for the QB1 job here in 2026, but that he could still have a role as a sort-of wildcat quarterback on the goal line or in short-yardage situations.
Green is 6-foot-6, and 235 pounds, and though he is plagued by turnovers as a quarterback, the Browns could potentially reel those in by using him mostly as a rushing option who can occasionally threaten the pass. It’s a role that, generally, works better in theory than in practice, but it’s been a point of emphasis with the Browns. Green had 35 rushing touchdowns in college, between Arkansas and Boise State.
Green spoke about Monken’s “vision” for him on Friday: “It’s really cool the vision that he has for me, especially rookie year, I am just here to help the team win no matter what I have to do. I am blessed to have this opportunity and blessed to have them draft me because not a lot of people get that opportunity, so if it’s, run somebody over and get that touchdown, I’m gonna run somebody over.”
Quarterback Likely a 2027 Issue
Now, there is still a small overriding problem with talking about Browns quarterbacks like Green and Barnes. They might be longshots to play a big role for Cleveland this year, but the fact is, the Browns are so short at quarterback that it might not matter much. Choosing between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders isn’t a promising situation.
As Aaron Schatz of ESPN wrote this week: “The Browns have three quarterbacks who will battle for the starting job in 2025, but it’s hard to pretend that any of them have been good. Last season, as rookies, Dillon Gabriel had a QBR of 31.4 and Shedeur Sanders was at 18.9. The season before, veteran Deshaun Watson had a 21.0 QBR before tearing an Achilles.
“Cleveland might have to wait for the 2027 draft to select its future franchise quarterback.”
Browns Add Record-Setting Dual-Threat QB Before Rookie Camp