Dillon Gabriel is a bit of a statistical anomaly in the NFL right now. Honestly, if you just look at the raw box scores from his rookie year in Cleveland, you might think he’s just another mid-round pick struggling to find his footing in a messy quarterback room. But that’s a pretty lazy way to look at a guy who holds the FBS record for career touchdowns.
People love to talk about his height. Yeah, he’s 5-foot-11. We get it. He’s one of the shortest guys to ever take a snap for the Browns. But the dillon gabriel browns qb stats tell a much more nuanced story than just "he's too small for the pocket."
He stepped into a weird situation in 2025. You had Joe Flacco coming off a magic run, Deshaun Watson’s massive contract hanging over the facility, and fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders breathing down his neck. Despite all that noise, Gabriel ended up starting six games.
The Numbers Behind the Dillon Gabriel 2025 Season
Let’s look at what actually happened on the field. In 10 total appearances, Gabriel put up these numbers:
- Passing Yards: 937
- Touchdowns: 7
- Interceptions: 2
- Completion Percentage: 59.5%
- Passer Rating: 80.8
- Rushing Yards: 86 (on 14 carries)
Seven touchdowns to only two picks is actually a really solid ratio for a rookie third-rounder. It shows he isn’t a "turnover machine," which is usually the death knell for young QBs in Kevin Stefanski's system. He’s protective of the football. That’s a trait he carried over from his days at Oregon and Oklahoma.
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But there’s a catch.
The 5.1 yards per attempt? That’s low. Like, bottom-of-the-league low. It basically means the Browns were playing it extremely safe with him. Lots of screens, lots of quick outs, and not a whole lot of the vertical shots that made him a Heisman finalist in college.
Why the Context of Dillon Gabriel Browns QB Stats Matters
If you want to understand why his yards per completion looked so pedestrian, you have to look at the Week 11 disaster against Baltimore. Gabriel was actually playing quite well. He was 7-for-10 for 68 yards and had the Browns leading 16–10 at the half. Then, the concussion happened.
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That hit changed the trajectory of his rookie year.
Before that injury, he was showing a weirdly high level of composure. He made his first career start in London against the Vikings—literally the first QB ever to start their first NFL game outside the U.S.—and didn't blink. He threw for 190 yards and two scores in that game. No interceptions. For a guy drafted 94th overall, that’s winning.
"He’s a rhythm-based passer," one AFC scout noted mid-season. "If you let him get that first completion, he’s dangerous. But the NFL windows are tighter than what he saw in the Big Ten, and his height does make those middle-of-the-field crossers a gamble."
Comparing Gabriel to the Rest of the QB Room
The Browns' depth chart is basically a soap opera. As of early 2026, you've got Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson all technically in the mix.
Sanders is the "flashy" pick, but Gabriel has more of that "gamer" DNA that Cleveland fans usually gravitate toward. When Gabriel was in, the offense felt stable, if a bit limited. When he was out, things felt chaotic.
He was sacked 19 times in just 185 attempts. That is a brutal statistic. It’s a mix of a patchwork offensive line and Gabriel’s tendency to hold the ball a second too long while trying to find a throwing lane he can actually see through.
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What’s Next for Gabriel in Cleveland?
So, where does he go from here?
The stats suggest he’s a high-end backup or a "bridge" starter. He isn't going to blow you away with a 400-yard game, but he’s also not going to lose you the game with three stupid interceptions in the first half.
He needs to improve his "time to throw." Currently, PFF has his average time-to-throw at 2.75 seconds. In the NFL, that’s an eternity. If he can get that down to 2.4 or 2.5, those sack numbers will drop, and his completion percentage will naturally rise.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Red Zone: Gabriel’s best work in 2025 came inside the 20. His ability to use his legs (6.1 yards per carry) makes him a dual-threat in tight spaces.
- Monitor the Offseason Trade Market: If the Browns decide to fully commit to Sanders, Gabriel is the type of player a team like the Rams or Dolphins might target as a high-upside backup who fits a timing-based system.
- Focus on the Intermediate Passing Game: For Gabriel to take the next step, he has to prove he can hit the 12-15 yard dig routes consistently. If he stays under 6 yards per attempt, he'll remain a backup.
The dillon gabriel browns qb stats aren't going to win any MVP awards yet. But for a kid from Hawaii who everyone said was too small to even get drafted, 937 yards and a winning touchdown-to-interception ratio in the NFL is a pretty loud statement.