The Cleveland Browns are basically the NFL's version of a high-stakes science experiment that occasionally blows up the lab. In late 2025, that experiment involved a 5-foot-11 left-hander from Oregon who shattered every collegiate record imaginable before walking into the most pressurized locker room in pro sports.
Honestly, the Cleveland Browns QB Dillon Gabriel promotion wasn't just a depth chart shuffle. It was a desperate mid-season pivot that ended up costing people their jobs.
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If you followed the 2025 season, you know the vibe. Joe Flacco was throwing interceptions like they were going out of style. The offense was stuck in the mud. Then, just before the team hopped on a plane for London in Week 5, Kevin Stefanski made the call. He benched the veteran and handed the keys to the kid.
The Shocking Reality of the Promotion
Most fans expected a slow burn. You don't usually draft a guy at No. 94 and expect him to save a sinking ship by October. But the Browns were 1-3. They were dead last in turnover margin.
Stefanski’s tone during the press conference was weirdly stern. He kept saying it "wasn't about one person," even though it clearly was. The decision to move Gabriel to QB1 over a seasoned vet like Flacco felt like a "win now or pack your bags" move from the front office.
- The Draft Slot: Gabriel went 94th overall, way earlier than most "experts" predicted.
- The Predecessor: Joe Flacco’s eight turnovers in four games forced the team's hand.
- The Debut: Gabriel’s first start happened at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against a Brian Flores defense that eats rookies for breakfast.
He actually played alright in that London game. 19-of-33 for 190 yards and two scores. No picks. For a second, it looked like the "poise" Andrew Berry raved about during the draft was real. But then reality hit.
Why the Dillon Gabriel Era Fizzled
It turns out that being the most experienced QB in college history—63 starts is insane, by the way—doesn't always translate to the speed of the NFL. Gabriel is accurate. He’s tough. But he’s also small.
The biggest knock on him coming out of Oregon was that he didn't have the "NFL arm." In Cleveland, that showed up fast. He averaged 5.1 yards per attempt. To put that in perspective, that’s basically like trying to win a drag race in a golf cart. He rarely looked more than 10 yards downfield.
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Opposing coordinators figured it out in about three weeks. They just sat on the short routes and dared him to beat them deep. He couldn't.
The Stats That Tell the Story
He finished his stint as the starter with a 1-5 record. He threw for 937 yards and seven touchdowns total. While he didn't turn the ball over much, he didn't generate "explosive plays" either.
By the time the bye week rolled around, the Browns were 2-6. Stefanski had to give up play-calling. It was a mess. Then Gabriel got a concussion, and the team moved on to Shedeur Sanders, who they’d actually drafted two rounds after Gabriel.
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The Fallback and the Coaching Fallout
You can’t talk about the Cleveland Browns QB Dillon Gabriel promotion without talking about the casualties. A team source eventually leaked that Stefanski’s input was the main reason they took Gabriel at No. 94.
When the kid struggled, the seat under Stefanski turned into a furnace. By the end of the 5-12 season, Stefanski was out.
It’s one of those classic Browns stories. They saw the 155 career college touchdowns and thought they found a bargain-bin Russell Wilson. Instead, they got a guy who was probably overdrafted and definitely overmatched by a roster that couldn't block for him.
What Happens to Gabriel Now?
Right now, as we head into 2026, Gabriel is in no-man's land. The Browns have two first-round picks (one at No. 6 overall). Deshaun Watson is still on the books, and Shedeur Sanders showed enough "flash" in his seven starts to at least earn a seat at the table.
Zac Jackson from The Athletic basically said Gabriel needs a fresh start. He’s likely a career backup at this point.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you're a Browns fan or a dynasty manager looking at Gabriel's future, here is the ground truth:
- Don't Expect a Starter Role: Unless there’s a massive injury wave, Gabriel is competing for the QB3 spot or will be trade bait for a late-round pick.
- Watch the New Coaching Staff: The new regime has zero loyalty to the 2025 draft class. If they bring in "their guy" at No. 6, Gabriel is the odd man out.
- The "System" Matters: Gabriel’s best chance is in a West Coast system that values quick, rhythmic passes. If the Browns hire a vertical-threat coach, he’s gone.
- Monitor the Health: He finished the season on the mend from that concussion. His mobility is his secondary weapon, so seeing how he moves in OTAs will be a huge indicator of his value.
The promotion was a gamble that didn't pay off, but Gabriel’s college pedigree suggests he’s too smart to be out of the league entirely. He just won't be "The Guy" in Cleveland.