In the Cleveland Browns' 41-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week, rookie Dillon Gabriel saw his first NFL action when he was inserted late in the fourth quarter.
The former Oregon standout led Cleveland on a seven-play, 65-yard touchdown drive, capped off with the first passing touchdown of his career. But was it enough to prove to head coach Kevin Stefanski that he's ready for the starting job?
Not yet, as it was announced this week that Joe Flacco would remain the starter, but one former NFL star thinks Gabriel's time is now, and the Browns should make the switch.
LeSean McCoy Says It’s Time for the Browns to Start Dillon Gabriel
Former NFL running back and current analyst LeSean McCoy shared on his podcast, Speakeasy, this week that the Browns need to bench Flacco and give the former Oregon Duck a shot at the starting gig.
"I would love for Shedeur to play, but I’m okay with playing a younger quarterback. If it’s Dillon Gabriel, I’m okay with that. Let’s see what the future has for us. There’s no future with Joe. There is no present with Joe ... He was terrible last year. Last year they (Indianapolis Colts) benched the young quarterback Anthony Richardson, got in there and it was god-awful," said McCoy.
The 40-year-old Flacco has certainly been unimpressive thus far. Through two starts, the veteran has completed 62.2% of his passes, thrown two touchdowns to three picks, and passed for 489 yards. Would Gabriel come in and elavate the Browns' offense?
No, probably not. But to McCoy's point, you know what you have in Flacco. You don't know what you have in your rookie quarterback, so why not give him a chance to start some games and see if he can be your long-term answer at quarterback?
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