This season, the spotlight has been on Shedeur Sanders, but now it turns to fellow Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Ahead of Week 5, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed he’s benching QB Joe Flacco, who went 1-3 in four starts, and starting Gabriel. Sanders remains QB3.
Per longtime NFL broadcaster Andrew Siciliano, Gabriel (pick No. 94) is slated to be the first QB to make his first start internationally in Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings (2-2) in London. If that weren’t enough pressure, he’s facing Minnesota’s third-ranked passing defense (151.5 YPG). The third-round pick, however, views the challenge as an excellent opportunity.
Dillon Gabriel explains why he isn’t nervous heading into first start
“You wait for a perfect time, you’re going to wait for a whole lifetime,” Gabriel said on Wednesday, per Field Level Media. “So for me, I’ve always been ready.”
Gabriel, 24, is certainly more ready than the average rookie QB. He played 64 games in six seasons at Central Florida, Oklahoma and Oregon. During his storied college career, he finished with the most career passing touchdowns (155) in FBS history.
Rookie QBs with extensive college experience have thrived. Washington Commanders second-year QB Jayden Daniels played in 55 games over his five-year college career at Arizona State and LSU. Last season, he won Offensive Rookie of the Year and led Washington to its first NFC Championship Game since the 1991 season.
That’s not to say the Browns rookie will be as successful as the Commanders star. Unlike Daniels (6-foot-4, 210 pounds), Gabriel (5-foot-11, 205 pounds) is undersized for an NFL QB and lacks other elite traits.
But again, he’s more seasoned than the typical rookie, and that’s why he’s been earning the Browns’ trust. Per Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein, during training camp, Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry said Gabriel is “basically like a veteran” after six collegiate seasons.
Gabriel seems prepared for his first start. Now, the Browns are hoping that comes to fruition and sparks an in-season turnaround starting with Sunday’s game.
