Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders may not be playing, but that doesn’t mean the Cleveland Browns’ upcoming preseason game against the New England Patriots won’t be worth watching. It’ll be a chance to see what backup quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green can do.
Speaking on ESPN Cleveland about Gabriel, Justin Cooper said that Thursday’s preseason game might be a major turning point. Gabriel isn’t just playing for a win; he is also fighting for a roster spot.
“Yes, [Dillon Gabriel] is [playing for a roster spot tonight]. They’ll put him on a practice squad because I think that’s the safest option. I think they still like him. They’re gonna keep Taylen Green. It’s possible. That’s not a foregone conclusion. I think Todd, he was disappointed with what he saw in the second preseason game, but he even admitted that they put him in a bad position. He kept saying in his press conference that it’s not fair to Dillon to not get that opportunity again, so it’s sounds like he was impressed with what Taylen Green did in the Bills joint practices despite limited reps. I really do think there’s credence towards him being your No. 3,” Cooper said.
Is Dillon Gabriel playing for this roster spot tonight? pic.twitter.com/xQwNkjymzo
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 27, 2026
Thursday’s matchup may be the most important of Gabriel’s young career. If he plays well, he could be the team’s third-string QB. But if he falls short, he could be cut from the Browns or sent down to the practice squad.
Gabriel doesn’t have a real shot at being a starter, but he came into the offseason as the most likely choice for a backup. But the Browns then drafted Green, and that only complicated things more for Gabriel. Watson and Sanders are the leaders of the QB room, and now Green and Gabriel are battling to play behind them.
The team can only have so many quarterbacks, and they will have to make a tough decision soon. If Gabriel is cut from the team or diverted to the practice squad, it doesn’t mean he won’t have a future in the NFL.
But his chances of a long-term stay in Cleveland seem slimmer.
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