Dillon Gabriel's Path to Starting Role Questioned by the Cleveland Browns

When the Cleveland Browns signed quarterback Dillon Gabriel to a one-year contract in the 2025 offseason, the move was seen as a low-risk, high-reward addition. Gabriel, a former Oklahoma and UCF standout, had shown flashes of promise in his first two NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, serving as a backup and occasional spot starter. The Browns brought him in to compete for the backup role behind Shedeur Sanders, with the hope that he could provide reliable depth and push Sanders to improve. But as training camp and the preseason unfolded, Gabriel’s performance sparked a surprising debate: could he challenge for the starting job? Now, as the regular season approaches, questions about Gabriel’s path to a starting role have only grown louder, fueled by inconsistent play, coaching staff ambiguity, and the Browns’ desire to find stability at the quarterback position. Dillon Gabriel's Path to Starting Role Questioned by the Cleveland Browns explores the factors clouding Gabriel’s future, the competition he faces, and what his role could mean for the Browns’ success.

Dillon Gabriel's Path to Starting Role Questioned by the Cleveland Browns begins with Gabriel’s uneven preseason performance, which has left both fans and analysts divided. In three preseason games, Gabriel completed 58% of his passes for 420 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions—a stat line that reflects both his potential and his flaws. His best game came against the Chicago Bears, where he led a fourth-quarter comeback, throwing a 25-yard game-winning touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Jalen Brown. But he struggled in the final preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, throwing two interceptions and fumbling once, leading to a 24-17 loss. “Dillon has shown that he can make plays—there’s no doubt about that,” said a Browns assistant coach, speaking on condition of anonymity. “But he’s also shown that he makes mistakes at critical times, which is something you can’t afford from a starter in the NFL.” The inconsistency has led to questions about whether Gabriel has the poise and decision-making to handle the starting job, especially in a division as tough as the AFC North, where teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals have elite defenses.

Dillon Gabriel's Path to Starting Role Questioned by the Cleveland Browns delves into the competition for the starting job, which remains firmly in Shedeur Sanders’ hands—for now. Sanders, the Browns’ high-profile signing in 2025, struggled in his first NFL season, but the team’s front office and coaching staff have repeatedly expressed their confidence in him as the long-term starter. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has emphasized that Sanders is “our guy” and that Gabriel was brought in to be a backup. But Sanders’ own inconsistencies—he completed just 61% of his passes in the preseason with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions—have led some to wonder if the door could crack open for Gabriel if Sanders struggles early in the regular season. “The Browns invested a lot in Shedeur, both financially and in terms of reputation,” said NFL analyst Mike Pereira. “They’re not going to bench him after one bad game, or even two. But if he’s not performing by midseason, and Gabriel is playing well in practice and in spot duty, you have to wonder if they’ll make a change.” For Gabriel, this means his path to a starting role is likely dependent on Sanders’ failure—a reality that makes his future with the Browns uncertain.

Dillon Gabriel's Path to Starting Role Questioned by the Cleveland Browns examines how the Cleveland Browns’ offensive scheme may not be the best fit for Gabriel’s strengths, further complicating his path to the starting job. Stefanski’s offense is built around a balanced run-pass attack, with an emphasis on quick, short passes to tight ends and running backs, and a commitment to establishing the run game. Gabriel, however, thrives in a more up-tempo, spread offense, where he can use his mobility to extend plays and throw deep passes to wide receivers. During the preseason, Gabriel looked most comfortable when the Browns ran a simplified version of the spread offense, but Stefanski has made it clear that the team will stick to its core scheme. “Our offense is designed to play to the strengths of our entire team, not just one player,” Stefanski said in a press conference. “Dillon is a talented player, but he needs to adapt to our system, not the other way around.” For the Cleveland Browns, this means Gabriel may never get a true chance to showcase his best skills in a starting role, as the offense isn’t tailored to his playstyle. This mismatch has led some to question whether Gabriel will ever be more than a backup in Cleveland.

Dillon Gabriel's Path to Starting Role Questioned by the Cleveland Browns explores the role of the Cleveland Browns’ front office in Gabriel’s future, and whether they see him as a long-term piece of the team’s plans. Gabriel’s one-year contract suggests the Browns view him as a stopgap, not a future starter—a sentiment that was reinforced when the team declined to extend his contract during training camp. General manager Andrew Berry has stated that the team is “focused on building around Shedeur” and that Gabriel’s role is to “provide depth and competition.” This lack of long-term commitment has led to speculation that Gabriel could be traded or released if he doesn’t win the backup job, or if the Browns find another quarterback they like better. “The Browns didn’t sign Dillon to be a starter—they signed him to push Shedeur and be ready if something happens,” said a league source familiar with the Browns’ thinking. “If he can’t do that, or if they find someone else who can do it better, he’ll be gone.” For the Cleveland Browns, Gabriel is a valuable insurance policy, but not a priority—something that makes his path to a starting role even more challenging.

Dillon Gabriel's Path to Starting Role Questioned by the Cleveland Browns wraps up with the implications of Gabriel’s uncertain future for both him and the Cleveland Browns. For Gabriel, the 2025 season is a make-or-break year. If he can prove himself as a reliable backup and show that he can adapt to the Browns’ offense, he could earn a longer contract—either in Cleveland or with another team. But if he struggles, or if he’s stuck on the bench with no opportunity to play, his NFL career could be in jeopardy. For the Browns, the question is whether they have enough quarterback depth to survive a long season. If Sanders gets injured or continues to struggle, and Gabriel isn’t ready to step in, the team could be forced to look for a quarterback on the trade market or from the practice squad—a scenario that would likely derail their playoff hopes. “Dillon’s path to a starting role is narrow, but it’s not impossible,” said Browns legend Bernie Kosar, who played quarterback for the team in the 1980s and 1990s. “He needs to stay ready, stay focused, and take advantage of any opportunity he gets. In the NFL, things can change in an instant.” As the regular season begins, all eyes will be on Gabriel and Sanders, as the Cleveland Browns hope to avoid another season of quarterback uncertainty—and Gabriel hopes to prove that he deserves a chance to start.