QB Taylen Green (8.27.26)
What was your mindset going out there, starting your first two possessions backed up at your own 2-yard line?
“It felt really good. Of course, a little nervous — first NFL game, first snap — but it felt good to be in that huddle, call the play. Just say ready, set, break, and see the defense. There’s nothing like it, and I’m really appreciative of the opportunity.”
What did you see on that 30-yard scramble where it looked like it was close to a sack in the back of the end zone?
“We had a quick-game concept — I want to say they went Cover 2 to it. I was about to throw it, but I saw the nickel bounce back, so I didn’t feel comfortable with it, especially being backed up. After that, it was just trusting my legs and at that point, trusting my instincts. I didn’t really see much — I just saw green grass and went.”
How cool was it to hear the crowd cheering for you when you took off?
“It felt really good. I’d say I didn’t really hear it in the moment, because once the game starts you’re locked in. But it was a really cool atmosphere, and I’m grateful the fans showed a lot of love — not just for me, but for the whole team.”
You hardly got any reps over the past few weeks, and here you are getting your first NFL action backed up at the 2 on your very first drive. Did you have time to think about that at all, or on the second one were you thinking, I’ve got to make something happen here?
“No, you’re not really thinking about it — of course you’re thinking about the situation, but I’m just taking it one play at a time, one day at a time. Like I said the other day. My focus was to keep the chains moving and do whatever I had to do to keep the chains moving. In the huddle, when we went to 98 (yards), I told them, ‘Hey, we’re on the 2-yard line, let’s go 98 take it 98.’ And we did. That was an exciting feeling, to end the drive with a touchdown.”
Did Luke Floriea say anything to you after that first third down where he was open way down the field?
“To be honest, I can’t even remember — I was just locked in.”
Do you feel like you made as good a case as you possibly could to make the 53-man roster?
“Honestly, I hope so, but at the same time I can only control what I can control. That’s out of my hands. I play football, so I’m going to do my best on the field and put it all out there, and let the higher-ups – they have their job and I have my job. My job is to keep the chains moving, score touchdowns and win.”
Dillon Gabriel was talking about not getting a lot of reps in practice either, and you went through the same thing. How have you two rallied together, especially going out tonight and playing without a lot of reps?
“Yeah, definitely — he helped a lot. We’re going through similar situations, and like I said, we’re just trying to put our best foot forward. I’m really spiritual, so I’m trusting God and the plan he has for me — I’ve got a Bible verse on my arm. It’s really just control what you can control, put one foot in front of the other and do your best. I think that’s all we can do, and that’s true in football, but it’s true in life, too.”
Did Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders help you or did they just keep their distance as it was your night?
“They definitely helped — when Dillon was going, we’d look at the iPads or the Surface and showing me things and indicators, because college is different. We had real live video in college, and in the NFL it’s pictures, so that’s something I’m getting used to. They were showing me what they see and how to dissect it. And Shedeur was in that position last year, too — he understands the nerves and everything, and he’d tell me, ‘Hey, when you’re out there, just be yourself and go play football.’”
How much would you like to remain here once the roster cuts are finalized, whether that’s on the 53 or the practice squad?
“Oh, definitely — I definitely want to remain here. The Browns drafted me, so that always means a lot, not just to my family but to myself. Learning the community, getting to know people, getting to know the city — it really means a lot to me. I would love to be a Cleveland Brown.”
You mentioned you had family here tonight — how many made it?
“I had three — my dad flew in and my college roommate came too, along with his dad. They drove in from Detroit.”
You don’t get to practice runs like that 30-yarder in practice — is it just like riding a bike?
“Yeah. The way I was feeling today, I need to get back into that conditioning — I was tired. But I’m glad I had that experience. I know conditioning is something I’ve got to improve on.”
You converted three third downs on 98 yard drive — how did it feel to be able to move the chains like that?
“It feels good. Converting third downs in the NFL is really hard, and I’m learning that quickly. So it’s just doing whatever it takes — if I’ve got to run, I’m going to run, and if I’ve got to throw the ball, I’m definitely going to throw the ball. Just do whatever it takes to keep the chains moving — that’s what a quarterback has to do.”
How do you think you threw the ball?
“I think I threw it well overall. I can clean up my footwork, especially on that third down with the incompletion, but I’m glad I’ve got some film to look at and get to work on. We’ll watch it with my coaches and see what they have to say, and just hit the ground running with that.”
Since you got here back in April, how would you encapsulate your journey from being drafted to getting your first chance to play tonight — what you’ve learned, the relationships you’ve built?
“That’s a good question. I’d say it came really fast — it feels like I got drafted yesterday, and rookie minicamp feels like yesterday, too. But it’s been really cool and exciting getting to know everybody. We’re all from different walks of life, coming together for a common goal, and it’s really amazing — the locker room, the camaraderie we have. There’s nothing like football, nothing like sports, that brings people together like that.”
Has anyone ever wanted you to play receiver, whether in high school, recruiting or college?
“I told them no. I’m a quarterback through and through, and I’m sticking to that.”
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