The Cleveland Browns have gone 1-3 in their first four games with veteran Super Bowl MVP quarterback Joe Flacco at the helm. But, following the tough loss to the Detroit Lions in week four, there was a lot of smoke about a potential quarterback change.
On Wednesday morning, before the Browns head overseas to face the Minnesota Vikings in London, the Browns have officially made their decision on which backup quarterback will take over for Flacco.
The Browns announced that former Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel will be the starting quarterback for the team's week five matchup against the Vikings.
Browns officially announce Dillon Gabriel as the starting quarterback
Gabriel, after being drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Oregon, is finally getting his first start in the NFL. However, it won't be an easy one.
We've named Dillon Gabriel the starting quarterback
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 1, 2025
The former Ducks quarterback is being thrown right into the fire, facing an overseas matchup for his NFL debut against a very strong Minnesota defense. It's trial by fire for Gabriel, who will look to have a good debut this season.
Kevin Stefanski chose Gabriel as the starter over Shedeur Sanders, an expected move, but still noteworthy given the recent press Sanders has received about being a backup quarterback in the NFL.
But Gabriel earned the opportunity with a solid preseason and will look to further boost the stock of the Browns' 2025 NFL Draft class that's already looking to be among the best in the league.
Mason Graham, Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Harold Fannin Jr., and Carson Schwesinger have all looked great as rookies that Cleveland's drafted this year. Isiah Bond, an undrafted free agent, has also shown promise in his limited action so far.
More: Shedeur Sanders' reaction to Browns benching Joe Flacco for Dillon Gabriel on Sunday caught on video
Gabriel is getting the start against the Vikings in a brutal NFL debut matchup. While he's gotten into a game before, throwing his first NFL touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in a blowout, Gabriel is getting his first start in the NFL.
With Gabriel getting the start, the Browns' offense is mostly comprised of rookies. Judkins and Sampson are the two main backs, while Isiah Bong and Fannin are now two of his top receiver options.
He won't have Cedric Tillman, who is on the injured list for the next four weeks at minimum, but Gabriel will have Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku, along with his fellow rookies on offense, for a difficult NFL starting debut.
The former Oregon quarterback is getting his first NFL start, and it might be one of the toughest possible matchups. He faces a high-flying Vikings defense not just on the road, but overseas in London for about as tough a first start as a rookie could get.
More Oregon Ducks Football News:
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- Dan Lanning blasts targeting no-call from Oregon's game against Penn State
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- ‘Could win the national championship': Joel Klatt ranks Oregon No. 2, Penn State No.9 in latest Top 10