The third-round pick ignited the preseason with a three-touchdown clinic for the Cleveland Browns, forcing tough roster decisions as Todd Monken praises the young signal-caller’s professional preparation and poise.
With Deshaun Watson named the starter and Shedeur Sanders set to be the QB2 to start the season, the Cleveland Browns gave all of their offensive snaps to quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green on Thursday night.
Gabriel, a third-round pick in 2025, went 12 of 15 passing for 186 yards and three touchdowns in the Browns' 37-13 win over the New England Patriots. It went about as well as Cleveland could have wanted for their QB3.
When speaking to reporters after the game, Browns head coach Todd Monken said he was "fired up" with how Gabriel played against the Patriots, noting that he's had a challenging start to his career in Cleveland.
"That's great for him," Monken said, via the Browns. "I know it's been hard, let's be real about it. But he's a prideful guy who's had a lot of success in his career, and all he does is prepare. That's all he does. He comes to work every day and prepares like a pro.
"You can see he can really operate; he gets what we want to do, and he has a certain confidence about him when he takes the field. I'm fired up."
Monken and Gabriel met before Thursday night's game to come up with a scheme against the Patriots. Monken praised Gabriel for his knowledge of the game, saying it was like having another coach on staff.
"We had a chance to meet before the game and talk about the things he wanted called and what he felt comfortable with, it's like having a coach," Monken said. "He's easy to explain things like this is what I like, this is what he doesn't like.
"Like I always say, we don't need more plays, we need plays you feel comfortable with. I'm really happy for him."
The Browns will have to decide what to do with Gabriel and rookie quarterback Taylen Green as they trim the 90-man roster to 53 players by Sunday's deadline.
Cleveland could carry three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, which would presumably keep Gabriel on the team. Green will likely be a candidate to return on the practice squad.
