Shedeur Sanders has drawn most of the spotlight in Cleveland’s quarterback battle, but Dillon Gabriel is not disappearing from the conversation.
That’s the view from analyst Lance Reisland, who thinks Gabriel deserves a real look before anyone starts locking in the Browns’ pecking order. Reisland pointed out that Sanders made a bigger splash in his rookie season, but he also said Gabriel dealt with many of the same offensive issues. In his words, “The idea that Dillon Gabriel could emerge as the Browns’ starting quarterback isn’t as far-fetched as some people believe,” Reisland said.
The case for Gabriel starts with the mess around him. Reisland said he had to operate behind an inconsistent offensive line, while the running game and receiving corps didn’t give him enough support.
Cleveland also had trouble consistently moving the ball and putting points on the board. Reisland believes the Browns have addressed a lot of that this offseason by improving the offensive line, adding more help at wide receiver and tight end, and bringing in running back Quinshon Judkins.
“This system is built on finding space and creating opportunities for playmakers,” Reisland said.
Gabriel’s numbers from last season show why he remains part of the discussion, even if he’s not the favorite. He started six games for Cleveland and went 1-5, completing 59.5% of his passes for 937 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. A concussion ended his season and cleared the way for Sanders to start the final seven games.
Still, Reisland didn’t go so far as to call Gabriel the frontrunner. “I don’t really care who wins the job,” he said.
“If Deshaun Watson is the best quarterback, he should play. If Shedeur Sanders continues the progress he showed during his starts and earns it, he should play.
And if a new coaching staff and a new system help Dillon Gabriel find a role in that quarterback room, that’s a possibility too.”
The Browns now have four quarterbacks in the mix - Sanders, Watson, rookie Taylen Green, and Gabriel - and that has fueled trade talk around Gabriel. But he’s kept his focus on the work. In April, he said he planned to keep “running my own race and developing each day and getting better.”
Todd Monken has also said Sanders and Watson will keep splitting key practice reps during training camp, which leaves Gabriel with a real opening. If he makes noise in the preseason, he could push his way right back into Cleveland’s quarterback picture.
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