The Cleveland Browns may have found something in rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and his breakout performance could put fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel on the trade block. Selected ahead of Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Oregon product is in a four-way battle for the starting job with Sanders, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett. Flacco is reportedly leading the race for the Week 1 job, and Sanders could be the better rookie. This could put Gabriel on the chopping block, but he could earn an opportunity with one of the league’s other organizations.
According to Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer, the Cleveland Browns have received trade offers for Dillon Gabriel. While the Browns will probably keep all four of their quarterbacks, Gabriel feels like the most expendable. Nobody will give up anything of value for an aging Flacco or an underwhelming Pickett, and Sanders has the potential to be this team’s long-awaited franchise savior. If they can get a good pick for his services, don’t be surprised if Gabriel never plays a down for the Cleveland Browns.
Dillon Gabriel Trade
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) runs for yards during NFL training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.
Browns Could Trade Dillon Gabriel Following Shedeur Sanders’ Breakout
Possible Fits
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders have their quarterback of the present in veteran Geno Smith. Smith is one of the league’s better passers and should make this team competitive in 2025, but the 34-year-old is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Aidan O’Connell is an adequate backup and short-term starter, but he won’t be the future of this organization. Perhaps the aging Pete Carroll has no interest in who will eventually take the reigns from Smith, but if he wants to build for the future, he could look into a Dillon Gabriel trade.
Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford is battling a back injury, which means Jimmy Garoppolo could see some time under center. Even if Garoppolo and Stafford stay healthy, neither player is a long-term option at this stage in their respective careers. Perhaps Stetson Bennett can develop into something, but if he can’t, Sean McVay’s club must find someone who could be on the roster next year. Stafford is a year-to-year option at this stage in his career, while Garoppolo is nothing more than a injury-prone backup. The Rams could trade for Dillon Gabriel, and the rookie could thrive under a quarterback-friendly coach like McVay.
Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray is a top-32 quarterback in this league and deserves to have a starting job. However, he’s not good enough to elevate his team and will always leave his organization wanting something more. Clayton Tune and Jacoby Brissett are not good enough to challenge for the starting job, but perhaps Dillon Gabriel could be. While nobody expects him to start in 2025, he could spend his rookie year learning on the bench and challenge Murray for the QB1 role in 2026. With an elite tight end in Trey McBride and a promising receiver in Marvin Harrison, the right quarterback could find success in this scheme.
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