While many consider Dillon Gabriel the odd man out of the Cleveland Browns QB competition, the 2025 third-round pick is blocking out the outside noise. New head coach Todd Monken remains impressed by his professionalism
Despite the fact that new head coach Todd Monken has repeatedly said Gabriel, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will all have an opportunity to compete for the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback job. That hasn't stopped people outside the organization from counting the 2025 third-round pick out of the QB race entirely.
As the Browns opened up their voluntary minicamp on Tuesday, Gabriel was asked about his standing among his fellow signal callers. He made his approach to the situation very clear.
"I think I'm just running my own race and focus on what I can control and that's mastering my reps and doing it at a high level," Gabriel asserted.
In the coming months, the results of Gabriel's race will come into focus. On Day 1 of Cleveland's bonus minicamp, the 25-year-old was the only quarterback not to get the first reps of the 11-on-11 portions of practice.
The optics of that won't do him any favors, but Monken assured that the first session was purposefully set up for Sanders to get more reps than both Gabriel and Watson, and that the rep share is subject to change on a daily basis.
This isn't anything new for Gabriel and Sanders, who also went through a quarterback competition last year that included veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, as well. in the end, it was Flacco winning the job by the end of training camp, with Pickett being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Those decisions paved the way for Gabriel to serve as the primary backup at the start of the 2025 season, with Sanders as the third string. After several weeks of the offense struggling under Flacco, Gabriel was promoted to QB1 n Week 5, making his NFL debut in London against the Minnesota Vikings.
Gabriel would go on to start six consecutive games with varying results. He won just one game over that span, completing 59.5% of his passes for 937 yards and seven touchdowns.
Then, during a Week 11 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, he suffered a concussion and had to leave the game. His exit paved the way for his fellow rookie, Sanders, to take over under center. Unfortunately for Gabriel, the fifth-round pick never relinquished the starting job.
Gabriel, candidly, admitted it was a difficult situation, but doubled down on his "control what he can control" mentality.
"I don't think it's ever easy as a competitor [to lose your job]," he said. "But you just want to keep staying the course, trust in God's plan and then ultimately, you've got to run your own race and focus on your goals."
Now, as Gabriel embarks on another QB competition, he's leaning on his experience from last year to help him navigate the uncertainty that lies ahead.
Just learning. A bunch of learning," he said, reflecting on his first season. "I think even prior, I was able to learn from Joe [Flacco], but even towards the end of the season, I think you just have opportunities for growth and learning. Kind of take a step back after playing and continue to apply to get better."
Whether or not Gabriel actually wins the Browns starting QB job remains to be seen. But as Monken noted, his mindset is that of a seasoned vet.
"What I have liked with Dillon is the way he goes about his business. Very professional, highly intelligent, understands football, has a certain charisma about him and a confidence that’s hard to create," said Monken. "You saw it throughout his career. You don’t go to three different programs and have the success he had if he doesn’t have a belief in himself."
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