The Browns will wrap up the preseason with their third matchup against the Patriots on Thursday night.

While the Browns will not play their starters, the final preseason game will give head coach Todd Monken a chance to conduct any final roster evaluations.

"I talked to Coach (Mike) Vrabel, we had talked about initially wanting to play our starters and get them a series or two," Monken said. "They really hadn't played their guys. But we both felt like we were thin, especially up front on both sides of the ball, and we just felt like we'd be better off not playing our starters in the game Thursday night."

Here are three burning questions for the preseason finale.

How will QB Dillon Gabriel operate the Browns' offense?

With both QB Deshaun Watson and QB Shedeur Sanders not playing in the third preseason game, QB Dillon Gabriel will have an opportunity for more game reps. Monken said they wanted to use the final preseason game as a chance to evaluate Gabriel with more game reps available after playing limited reps in the fourth quarter in Week 1 and Week 2.

Throughout training camp, Gabriel earned more opportunities to split reps with the second team. He demonstrated how he runs the offense and connects with pass catchers in those limited reps.

"We've just dedicated so many of the reps to Shedeur (Sanders) and Deshaun (Watson), it's really limited their opportunities, Dillon and Taylen (Green). And yet they've handled it great. Both prepare like they're pros, like they should," Monken said. "I'm just excited to see them play, because again, they don't get nearly as many reps in practice so their opportunity to get out there and play will weigh heavily in where we look at the roster moving forward."

Gabriel is in his second season with the Browns after being drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He played in 10 total games during his rookie season, including six starts, where he completed 110 of 185 passing attempts for 937 yards and seven touchdowns.

How will the Browns' defense limit the Patriots' pass game?

For role players on the Browns' defense, Thursday is another opportunity to showcase how they can play in their attack-style scheme by how they limit the Patriots in the pass game.

In the Patriots' first two preseason games, the Patriots' offense utilized the pass game to move the ball downfield, as they finished with 192 net passing yards in Week 1 against the Colts and 248 net passing yards in Week 2 against the Eagles. QB Tommy DeVito threw for 138 yards and one touchdown in Week 1, and 151 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. Rookie QB Behren Morton threw for 66 yards in Week 1 but 129 yards and one touchdown in Week 2.

The Browns' defense must apply pressure up front to force the quarterbacks into tough decisions, while their secondary must disrupt the receivers to prevent receptions. In the first two preseason games, the Browns recorded three sacks and 11 passes defensed, as well as one interception against the Bears in Week 1.

How will QB Taylen Green manage his first NFL game?

With limited reps available during the quarterback competition, rookie QB Taylen Green did not have the chance to play in the first two preseason games. That will change on Thursday, as he will have an opportunity to run the Browns' offense for a portion of the game.

"Just trying to see Taylen after he played pretty well in the limited reps he had against the Bills," Monken said.

Green saw a handful of reps during the joint practice with the Bills, in which he completed a pass to TE Jermaine Terry over the middle of the field during an 11-on-11 period. In a 7-on-7 period in the red zone, Green threw a touchdown pass to WR Tylan Wallace in the left corner of the end zone. On the next play, Green rolled right after a play fake and found the end zone with his legs.

"Just shows my versatility," Green said of his play during the joint practice. "The touchdown to Tylan, I just threw it, he made the play, made a great catch, celebrating and having fun out there."

When Green takes the field in the final preseason game, he will see his first NFL game action and have the chance to expand upon what he showcased in the joint practice with the Bills in a game setting.

"I'm excited. I've got family coming to town," Green said. "It's a night game, lights out. It's going to be a dream come true. Just being out there and being a Cleveland Brown, who wouldn't want that?"