Dillon Gabriel's NFL debut
Gabriel's first NFL game was filled with both positive moments and areas of growth. On the opening offensive drive, Gabriel moved the Browns meticulously down the field, completing 4-of-4 passes and converting three third-downs attempts. He then handed the ball off to RB Ahmani Marshall, who found the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown run to put the Browns on the board first.
Gabriel converted his first six third-down situations, which allowed the Browns to continue drives and move down the field.
"I think those are key points, even negative plays you want to eliminate those and be as best as you can," Gabriel said. "The more we can continue to be out of the chains, getting third and true manageables, and then execute a high level when you get in those moments, that's why we got there."
He continued to march the Browns down the field on his second drive before his pass was picked off by S Andrew Mukuba and returned 75 yards for a pick six. Stefanski explained that their tight end and wide receiver were "out of their sandbox" on the play, which led to the miscommunication on the throw and the ultimately, the interception.
Also in the second quarter, there was also a fumble on a handoff exchange between him and RB Pierre Strong Jr., which the Eagles recovered and set them up in Browns territory. Stefanski reiterated how on those handoffs, both the quarterback and running must be on the same page. Stefanski also pointed out how those two giveaways played a factor in the results of the first half.
In the first half, Gabriel completed 13-of-18 passes for 143 yards and one interception. He was also sacked twice. Gabriel did not play in the second half but showcased in the first half how he can manage the Browns' offense through different situations in drives that led to scoring drives. Overall, Stefanski was pleased with Gabriel's operation of the game, noting in preseason games they look for the quarterbacks to orchestrate, get in and out of the huddle and make the right calls.
"There are some things that I thought he did well," Stefanski said. "I thought our offense as a whole on third down was very good early, which allowed us to stay on the field because I don't think we were great on first and second down, but plenty to clean up."