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Dillon Gabriel gets concerning update as Browns offseason begins.
The Cleveland Browns used a third-round pick on Dillon Gabriel last year, and the team could already look to move on from him.
Gabriel made starts for the Browns last season, but he ended the year as the backup to Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland has been looking at the quarterback market to add some competition with Sanders and Deshaun Watson.
With that, Browns insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic reported that Cleveland views Gabriel as a backup in the best-case scenario. And, the team is open to trading him.
“It’s fair to assume the Browns don’t view Gabriel as more than a long-term backup, so he could be moved if any team is interested,” Jackson wrote. “It’s also fair to assume Monken’s belief that neither Sanders nor Watson should be declared the starter now means Cleveland will add at least one quarterback to whatever competition lies directly ahead.”
Gabriel struggled in his starts, and his time with Cleveland could very well be over after just one season. The hope for the Browns is that they would be able to get at least a late draft pick back in return.
Gabriel finished the year throwing for 937 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
Browns Looking to Add a QB
Cleveland has been searching for their franchise quarterback for years.
At the NFL Draft combine, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the team would be aggressive in looking to add a quarterback.
“I would anticipate that there’s at least the chance that we would be a little bit more aggressive relative. I’ll say this, more aggressive than last year. But it’ll be targeted and opportunistic,” Berry said. “I think realistically we may be one more offseason away from being hyper-aggressive in that window. But if there’s something that fits us, fits our roster, fits our timeline, then it’s certainly a swing we’ll take.”
Cleveland has been linked to multiple quarterbacks this offseason, whether it’s through the draft, free agency, or trade. So, it does seem likely the Browns will at least add one quarterback this offseason to add more competition and compete for the starting job.
Todd Monken ‘Excited’ About QB Room
Although the Browns are expected to pursue some quarterback help, new head coach Todd Monken likes the team’s quarterback.
At the NFL Draft Combine, Monken said he’s excited about the three quarterbacks the team has.
“I’m excited about Shedeur, excited about Deshaun and Dillon,” Monken said. “I’m excited about the prospects, not only in free agency. But also in the draft and we’ll see where it all falls. Ultimately, you’ve got to do whatever you need to do. Especially at that position, to put yourself in position to score points.”
Monken, meanwhile, said it will be an open competition for the quarterback spot.
“Sure, I think it’s an open competition,” Monken said. “I mean, I don’t why it wouldn’t be an open competition. I don’t mean that saying it harshly, but I don’t think there’s enough on film over the last couple years one way or the other to say, boy, we have our starter at quarterback yet. Whether internally or externally.”
However, if Cleveland adds a star quarterback, it likely would end the competition.