Less than a year ago, Dillon Gabriel was the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Heading into the 2026 preseason finale on Thursday, he might have been playing to save his career.
The situation may not have been that dire for the 25-year-old, but after spending all of training camp as an afterthought in the Browns’ quarterback competition, Gabriel’s future was certainly up in the air. As a third-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, Gabriel likely would get a second chance if he were to be let go by Cleveland, but nothing in the league is guaranteed.
Gabriel responded with an excellent first half against the New England Patriots, leading the Browns to 27 points in their 37-13 victory. He completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns, posting a near-perfect 157.9 passer rating.
With that in mind, insider Tony Grossi had “rare” praise for the Browns QB, saying his coach-friendly performance helped him a great deal.
“He does everything a coach wants. I think Monken called him like a coach on the field. That’s so rare to say about a second-year quarterback. I think that’s why Monken was genuinely saying stuff like, ‘I feel so happy for him.’ Because he helped himself. We can’t help him anymore, but he helped himself,” Grossi said.
"He does everything a coach wants," – @TonyGrossi on Dillon Gabriel. pic.twitter.com/TEhp0PmCVd
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 28, 2026
With Deshaun Watson as the recently named starter, making Shedeur Sanders his backup, Gabriel may be competing for a roster spot with rookie sixth-round pick Taylen Green. It is rare for a team to carry four quarterbacks on its 53-man roster, but the Browns may not want to expose Gabriel or Green to waivers to get one of them on the practice squad.
That is why trade rumors have resurfaced regarding Gabriel, who became the Browns’ starter in Week 4 last season when Joe Flacco was benched. He may have held that role through the end of the season had he not been put into concussion protocol in Week 11.
Sanders finished the season as the starter, and now Watson has that job after Monken said the veteran gives them the best chance to win games this year. Interestingly, Gabriel could wind up as the only one of the three on the Browns in 2027, as he has all of the qualities of an ideal NFL backup.
For now, he will have to survive cutdown day on Sunday to have a chance at that possibility.
NEXT: Deshaun Watson Reveals His 'Why' Ahead Of Browns Return
