The Cleveland Browns will be turning to rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel today against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.
Gabriel, the one who seemed like the odd man out in Cleveland, is set to take the field while Shedeur Sanders recovers from an oblique injury. Cabot later reported that Sanders will be in uniform but not playing, with the team hopeful he’ll get reps next week versus the Rams.
This start is an early chance for Gabriel to show what he can do at the NFL level.
Many of Sanders’ critics have suggested that Gabriel was drafted to take over the Browns’ offense eventually, and today provides the rookie with a stage to prove those doubters right or wrong.
If Gabriel can deliver excitement, accuracy, and rhythm against a tough Eagles defense, it could add new wrinkles to Cleveland’s quarterback conversation.
For Gabriel, success won’t just come down to his arm. Cleveland’s receiving corps, including Diontae Johnson, who had some costly drops on Sanders’ passes in their previous game, must step up to give the rookie a fair shot.
A clean game from the supporting cast could help settle the question of whether Gabriel truly looks better than Sanders did in his early reps.
Today, the Browns’ offense runs through Dillon Gabriel. And for a fan base eager for answers, this preseason test could say a lot about the future of Cleveland’s quarterback room.