Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel faces an uncertain future.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel faces an uncertain future.
Dillon Gabriel is still on the Cleveland Browns roster, although it remains to be seen how long he’ll be sticking around.
Gabriel was a third-round pick of the Browns last season. However, his time in Cleveland has been turbulent so far.
Gabriel got his starting opportunity after the Browns stumbled to a 1-3 start under veteran Joe Flacco. He made six starts, going 1-5 while throwing for 937 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Gabriel struggled to push the ball downfield and pre-draft concerns about his size and ability began to surface on the field. He eventually lost in job to Shedeur Sanders after suffering a concussion and never got it back.
Gabriel faces little certainty heading into his second season with Todd Monken now at the helm in Cleveland. While the Browns have yet to add a fourth passer to the mix, the quarterback battle has been framed — so far — as a two-man race between Deshaun Watson and Sanders.
Nick Pedone of Sports Illustrated predicts that Gabriel will not be with the Browns when Week 1 rolls around.
“It was abundantly clear that Gabriel’s lack of size and athleticism made him overmatched in every one of his starts,” Pedone said. “The Browns should let Gabriel free, either by trading him for a sixth or seventh round draft choice – or just granting him his outright release. It’s pretty clear the former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was the one that wanted Gabriel, so he doesn’t fit the current Browns trajectory.”
Dillon Gabriel Has Supporter in Browns GM Andrew Berry
The Browns fired Stefanski after a 5-12 campaign and just eight wins over two seasons. He was seen as a major proponent behind drafting Gabriel. However, Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland believes general manager Andrew Berry is also in Gabriel’s corner.
“Gabriel is eligible for the practice squad. But I don’t see Andrew Berry risking losing him via waivers. Berry has said he believes Gabriel has a bright future in the NFL,” Grossi said. “The perception that Gabriel’s only advocate in the building was Kevin Stefanski is off base. I believe all along that Berry was Gabriel’s biggest advocate.”
There’s reason to believe Grossi’s take. Berry showed support for Gabriel while speaking at the NFL Combine in February.
“He may be forgotten externally, but he’s not forgotten to us,” Berry said. “(He’s) gonna handle everything within his control … Dillon’s a guy that has a bright future in this league.”
Browns QB Dillon Gabriel Has Virtually No Trade Value
Many viewed Gabriel as a reach when the Browns selected him in the third round, and that sentiment only grew stronger when Cleveland circled back to draft Sanders a few rounds later.
Unfortunately for Cleveland, Gabriel’s value has taken a significant hit following a disappointing rookie campaign. As Pedone noted, the Browns might be able to recoup a sixth- or seventh-round pick in a trade, but there will be little urgency from other teams. With minimal demand, interested clubs could simply wait until roster cuts, knowing Cleveland may be forced into a decision.
It’s a situation the Browns have found themselves in before. In recent seasons, the team has attempted to shop backup quarterbacks during roster cutdowns, only to find a lukewarm market and ultimately move on without compensation.