Browns' QB Drama: Gabriel Faces Roster Cut Amid Watson-Sanders Battle
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The Cleveland Browns entered training camp with a quarterback narrative dominated by two names: Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. The battle for the starting job has consumed headlines, overshadowing the presence of a third quarterback on the roster. That quarterback is Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, selected with the 94th overall pick. While Sanders and Watson have been the focal points of the team's offensive plans, Gabriel's future in Cleveland is now uncertain.
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report recently published a feature identifying players who could be traded or released before the NFL's roster cutdown deadline on Sunday. In his analysis, Davenport pointed to Gabriel as a candidate to be let go. "As many as 1,184 players will be released, return their playbooks and attempt to secure practice-squad spots," Davenport wrote, setting the stage for a chaotic final week of roster decisions. He specifically noted that "Cleveland's crowded quarterback room makes Gabriel's path to a roster spot increasingly uncertain."
Gabriel's preseason performance has done little to strengthen his case. In the Browns' second preseason game, he saw limited action and failed to complete his only pass attempt. More troubling, he was flagged for three false starts, a lapse that drew the ire of head coach Todd Monken after the game. Davenport highlighted the incident, writing, "But he was on the field for three false starts, drawing the ire of head coach Todd Monken after the game." The lack of playing time and the costly penalties suggest the coaching staff has little confidence in the rookie's readiness.
Despite the rocky start, Gabriel's college career showed promise. Last season, he played in 10 games with six starts at his previous school, completing 110 of 185 passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. Those numbers, while modest, indicate he has the tools to develop into a reliable backup. However, the Browns' current quarterback depth—with Watson as the starter, Sanders as the primary backup, and perhaps a veteran presence—leaves little room for a developmental project.
Davenport acknowledged that Gabriel may still have a future in the NFL. "This isn't to say Gabriel won't land with another team, or that he can't carve out a lengthy career in the NFL as a backup quarterback. But it is becoming increasingly apparent that his next opportunity will come elsewhere." The Browns face a difficult choice: keep a third-round pick who has shown flashes but is raw, or cut him and hope he clears waivers for a practice squad spot. Given the competition around the league, another team might claim Gabriel, seeing potential that the Browns' crowded system cannot accommodate.
The roster deadline is Sunday, and the Browns' decision will signal how they value long-term development versus immediate roster depth. For Gabriel, the next few days will determine whether he wears a Browns uniform or starts fresh with a new team.
Article commentary
The Cleveland Browns find themselves in a familiar predicament: too many quarterbacks, not enough roster spots. The spotlight on Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson has overshadowed the plight of Dillon Gabriel, a third-round rookie whose preseason performance has been far from stellar. While the team's decision to stick with Watson as the starter makes sense from a financial and experience standpoint, the treatment of Gabriel raises questions about the Browns' draft strategy and player development. Gary Davenport's analysis is not just a prediction; it reflects a reality for many late-round and developmental quarterbacks. The NFL's roster cutdown is brutal, and teams often prioritize proven backups over raw talent. Gabriel's three false starts in a single preseason game are a red flag that coaches cannot ignore. Discipline and focus are prerequisites for any quarterback, especially one vying for a backup role. Todd Monken's visible frustration suggests that the coaching staff sees Gabriel as a project who needs more time than the Browns can afford to give. But there is another layer to this story. The Browns invested a third-round pick in Gabriel, a significant resource. Cutting him after one preseason would be a waste of draft capital, but keeping him on the active roster would mean stashing a quarterback who might not see the field for years. The team could try to move him to the practice squad, but that carries the risk of another team poaching him. Given the shortage of capable quarterbacks across the league, a team with a thinner depth chart might take a chance on Gabriel's potential. What does this say about the Browns' quarterback room? It signals that the organization believes Sanders and Watson are the future, and Gabriel is an afterthought. Sanders, a highly touted prospect, and Watson, a veteran with a massive contract, have locked up the top two spots. That leaves Gabriel as the odd man out, a casualty of a depth chart that simply has no room for another developmental arm. From a broader perspective, this situation highlights the NFL's cutthroat nature. Teams rarely have the luxury of carrying three young quarterbacks, especially when one is a rookie who needs significant coaching. Gabriel's college resume—937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions in 10 games—is not enough to guarantee a roster spot. He will need to improve his decision-making and consistency to survive in the league. The Browns' front office will face a tough call. Do they admit a draft mistake and cut ties, or do they gamble on Gabriel's long-term potential? The answer likely depends on how other roster needs shake out. If the Browns need extra depth at another position, Gabriel becomes expendable. If they can afford to keep him, he might survive as a third-stringer. Either way, the next few days will define his immediate future in the NFL.