For the past four contests, Dillon Gabriel has held the reins as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback. Yet, his play has offered little evidence that he represents a viable long-term solution for a franchise long starved of stability at the position.
Gabriel has flashed occasional promise, but those highlights have been overshadowed by a string of aggravating errors. Supporters are growing increasingly vocal in their calls for a switch at the helm.
Backing him up as the secondary option is Shedeur Sanders. It’s widely anticipated that the Browns will eventually turn to him for an opportunity. At present, however, head coach Kevin Stefanski continues to stand by Gabriel.
The latest setback came in a challenging outing against the New England Patriots during Week 8.In that matchup, Gabriel connected on 21 of 35 passes, accumulating 156 yards, a pair of scores, and two picks. Many view it as his most disappointing display since inheriting the role from Joe Flacco.
In the wake of the game, local expert Daryl Ruiter unleashed pointed condemnation toward the first-year passer.
“I’m so frustrated that Andrew Berry did this,” Ruiter said. “That he spent a top 100 pick on (Dillon Gabriel). That they keep shoving this guy down our throats. I told you in training camp this guy wasn’t it. This is unwatchable.”
Few incidents better illustrated Gabriel’s distance from NFL readiness than a bizarre sequence in his own end zone, where he hurled the ball into empty space, drawing a flag for intentional grounding. The infraction, occurring inside the end zone, directly led to a safety for the Patriots.
Stefanski had pushed for the organization to select Gabriel during the 2025 NFL Draft. Selecting him in the third round now appears as a significant overreach and a costly misstep.
This doesn’t rule out Gabriel contributing down the line in Cleveland. However, expecting him to evolve into the club’s cornerstone under center seems unrealistic. The hunt for that elusive leader persists, barring a breakthrough from Sanders once he steps onto the gridiron.
The clock is ticking, with escalating discontent from both the fanbase and commentators directed at Gabriel. It’s probable that Sanders will get his shot before long.
