Rookie Dillon Gabriel will get his first NFL start on Sunday when the Cleveland Browns face the Minnesota Vikings in London.
The Browns announced on Wednesday that they were benching Joe Flacco after he struggled to lead the offense in the first four games.
“From the second he’s been here, he’s been working very hard, very intelligent young man,” coach Kevin Stefanski said about Gabriel. “He’s done a nice job throughout practice. This whole season, he’s been learning how to get yourself ready and understand the rhythm of an NFL week and what that looks like.”
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) <!–>
–>
Stefanski added it was his decision to make the change this week — despite making an overseas trip — because he felt it was in the best interest of his 1-3 team moving forward.
Cleveland is ranked next-to-last in scoring, averaging 14 points per game. The team has scored 17 points or fewer in nine straight games going back to last season. Gabriel will be the fifth different starting QB in 10 games, joining Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Bailey Zappe and Flacco.
ADVERTISEMENT
“From the beginning this is the moment you look forward to as a competitor. But it’s part of my job to be ready, to be that sense of hope for everyone to continue to be better and come together and create momentum for each other,” Gabriel told reporters before Wednesday’s practice. “So excited for that, but just also extremely focused at doing my job at a high level.
Flacco also met with reporters before practice and said that he didn’t foresee a quarterback switch happening.
“I think I said it on Sunday, anytime you’re in this league, everybody’s always getting evaluated and the job of a quarterback is to help your team win football games,” he said.
The Browns practiced at their complex before flying to London.
Gabriel was selected in the third round of April’s draft. He finished his college career as the Football Bowl Subdivision total touchdowns lead with 189 at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. He was third in the nation with a 72.9% completion rate and was a Heisman Trophy finalist as he led Oregon to a Big Ten title.
Gabriel has seen action in two games — Week 2 at Baltimore and Week 4 at Detroit — and has completed three of four passes for 19 yards and a touchdown. He was selected as the backup quarterback at the end of training camp after the Browns traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders.
During the preseason, Gabriel led the Browns to either a touchdown or field goal on five of his seven drives. He also directed a pair of two-minute, first-half drives against the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams.
In his two preseason outings, Gabriel completed 25 of 37 passes for 272 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
“The more turns you got, the more confident and comfortable you are in certain situations. So super glad I was able to get those turns and want to continue to build on that and we will throughout this process,” Gabriel said. “But like I said, a whole week of prep going into a game, knowing the job cold is my job and I’ll continue to do that. Excited for it.”
Among the 33 quarterbacks who have made at least 56 pass attempts, Flacco is last in the league with a 60.3 passer rating, has the second-worst completion rate (58.1%) and his six interceptions are second most.
The 18-year veteran completed only 16 of 34 passes for 184 yards, two interceptions and a fumble in last Sunday’s 34-10 loss to Detroit.
The Browns offense is ranked 27th in total yards (279.8 yards per game), 20th in passing (195 ypg) and 30th in rushing (84.8 ypg).
The switch to Gabriel is also sure to reignite questions about where Sheduer Sanders might eventually factor down the line. Stefanski said Sanders will remain the third-string quarterback this week with Flacco being Gabriel’s backup.
Sanders was given the opportunity to respond to the Browns’ latest move at quarterback, and he pantomimed his answers.
Sanders dropped to the 144th pick and fifth round after many thought he would go in the first two rounds. He completed 17 of 29 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns in two preseason games.
Gabriel will be facing a Minnesota defense that has a 37.4% blitz rate, third highest in the league.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said on Wednesday that they scouted Dillon during the draft process and know what type of player he can be.
“He’s got really unique athleticism, quickness in the pocket to evade the rush, and has always been able to make plays on schedule and also be a weapon off-schedule,” O’Connell said.
“We’re going to have to make sure we can adapt to that athleticism and still find a way to contain him while defending one of the better run games in the league and some really talented skill players as well.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
What did you think of this story?
recommended
Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
MLB playoffs 2025: Manny Machado’s blast, Mason Miller’s 104.5 mph heat lead Padres to Game 2 victory, force Game 3 vs. Cubs
CHICAGO — As Fernando Tatis Jr.’s arms flew in the air watching a ball fly deep into the left-field bleachers, a simultaneous euphoria came from the Padres’ dugout. They were watching a no-doubt home run off the bat of Manny Machado, but more importantly, they were seeing their season live on for another day.On Wednesday in Chicago with their season on the line, the San Diego Padres showed in their Game 2 wild-card win over the Cubs that they’re built to survive in October.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Nothing’s going to be easy at this point in the season,” Machado said after the Padres’ 3-0 victory. “You got the best of the best playing right now. … This is why we’re here.”But to get to a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday, the Padres needed a big hit from their offense, something they weren’t able to […]
NFL betting, odds, lines: Betting trends to know for Week 5’s biggest games
The NFL’s prime-time slate in Week 5 kicks off with a Thursday Night Football battle between NFC West rivals, while the Sunday Night Football matchup showcases two AFC East foes.The common thread in these divisional contests? Both home teams are big favorites, but a couple of strong NFL betting trends suggest that both road underdogs are more likely to pad your wallet.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMeanwhile, the defending Super Bowl champs continue to be a spread-covering machine (although not so much at home). And an AFC franchise that has been a perennial punchline is looking to improve to 4-1 for the first time since the year the iPhone debuted.These are just a few of the NFL betting trends we’re breaking down for the five marquee matchups on the Week 5 docket.All listed odds are via BetMGM and subject to change.San Francisco 49ers at Los […]
College Football Week 6 Betting Report: Public Loving Enticing Vandy-Bama Tilt
<!--> [--> Patrick Everson FOX Sports Betting Analyst <!--> --> Seeing Alabama in a high-profile game is as common as the sun rising in the east. Seeing Vanderbilt, though? Not so common.But that’s where we are in the college football Week 6 odds market, as No. 16 Vandy vs. No. 10 Alabama is among the biggest games this week."If you would’ve told me two years ago that Vandy-Alabama would be considered a really good, competitive game, I’d have told you that you were crazy," Caesar Sports head of football trading Joey Feazel said. "But that’s gonna be the game that drives action this week."Bookmakers and sharp bettors offer their insights on that matchup and more, as we dive into college football Week 6 betting nuggets.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place […]
Flaco-Roque decide e Palmeiras atropela Vasco por 3 a 0 no Brasileirão
Flaco Lopez comemora gol contra o Vasco. Foto: Marcello Zambrana/AGIFCom o resultado, o Palmeiras chega aos 52 pontos, assume a vice-liderança e ultrapassa o Cruzeiro, que estaciona nos 51. Já o Vasco, com 30 pontos, permanece na 12ª colocação, distante da zona de rebaixamento, mas sem conseguir se firmar no meio da tabela. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEPrimeira etapa dominada pelo VerdãoO jogo começou equilibrado, com o Palmeiras estudando a equipe vascaína e valorizando a posse de bola. No entanto, bastou uma falha defensiva do time visitante para os donos da casa abrirem o placar logo aos seis minutos. Raphael Veiga tentou acelerar pelo meio, a bola desviou no passe e sobrou para Flaco López. O argentino mostrou faro de gol, ganhou a disputa contra Robert Renan e finalizou com categoria, de canhota, para superar Léo Jardim: 1 a 0. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEO Vasco tentou […]
MLB playoffs 2025: Guardians’ offense finally breaks out to force Game 3 vs. Tigers, recapture September magic just in time
CLEVELAND — It wasn’t the "Guards Ball" we’ve grown accustomed to watching and marveling at, but maybe that’s for the best.On the brink of elimination against the Detroit Tigers in the AL wild-card series, the Cleveland Guardians’ offense exploded for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday in Game 2, supplying all the scoring required for a 6-1 victory to force a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll season, the Guardians have struggled in nearly every facet of production at the plate. Getting on base consistently has been a chore. Crooked numbers have been rare. Slugging has been a tall task. Instead, Cleveland leaned heavily on its standout pitching staff to fuel an unlikely surge up the standings and into the postseason. Its run production was timely but rarely bountiful. The Guardians found ways to manufacture just enough […]
MLB playoffs 2025: Guardians’ offense finally breaks out to force Game 3 vs. Tigers, recapture their September magic just in time
CLEVELAND — It wasn’t the "Guards Ball" we’ve grown accustomed to watching and marveling at, but maybe that’s for the best.On the brink of elimination against the Detroit Tigers in the AL wild-card series, the Cleveland Guardians’ offense exploded for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday in Game 2, supplying all the scoring required for a 6-1 victory to force a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll season, the Guardians have struggled in nearly every facet of production at the plate. Getting on base consistently has been a chore. Crooked numbers have been rare. Slugging has been a tall task. Instead, Cleveland leaned heavily on its standout pitching staff to fuel an unlikely surge up the standings and into the postseason. Its run production was timely but rarely bountiful. The Guardians found ways to manufacture just enough […]
Related
MLB playoffs 2025: Manny Machado’s blast, Mason Miller’s 104.5 mph heat lead Padres to Game 2 victory, force Game 3 vs. Cubs
CHICAGO — As Fernando Tatis Jr.’s arms flew in the air watching a ball fly deep into the left-field bleachers, a simultaneous euphoria came from the Padres’ dugout. They were watching a no-doubt home run off the bat of Manny Machado, but more importantly, they were seeing their season live on for another day.On Wednesday in Chicago with their season on the line, the San Diego Padres showed in their Game 2 wild-card win over the Cubs that they’re built to survive in October.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Nothing’s going to be easy at this point in the season,” Machado said after the Padres’ 3-0 victory. “You got the best of the best playing right now. … This is why we’re here.”But to get to a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday, the Padres needed a big hit from their offense, something they weren’t able to […]
NFL betting, odds, lines: Betting trends to know for Week 5’s biggest games
The NFL’s prime-time slate in Week 5 kicks off with a Thursday Night Football battle between NFC West rivals, while the Sunday Night Football matchup showcases two AFC East foes.The common thread in these divisional contests? Both home teams are big favorites, but a couple of strong NFL betting trends suggest that both road underdogs are more likely to pad your wallet.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMeanwhile, the defending Super Bowl champs continue to be a spread-covering machine (although not so much at home). And an AFC franchise that has been a perennial punchline is looking to improve to 4-1 for the first time since the year the iPhone debuted.These are just a few of the NFL betting trends we’re breaking down for the five marquee matchups on the Week 5 docket.All listed odds are via BetMGM and subject to change.San Francisco 49ers at Los […]
College Football Week 6 Betting Report: Public Loving Enticing Vandy-Bama Tilt
<!--> [--> Patrick Everson FOX Sports Betting Analyst <!--> --> Seeing Alabama in a high-profile game is as common as the sun rising in the east. Seeing Vanderbilt, though? Not so common.But that’s where we are in the college football Week 6 odds market, as No. 16 Vandy vs. No. 10 Alabama is among the biggest games this week."If you would’ve told me two years ago that Vandy-Alabama would be considered a really good, competitive game, I’d have told you that you were crazy," Caesar Sports head of football trading Joey Feazel said. "But that’s gonna be the game that drives action this week."Bookmakers and sharp bettors offer their insights on that matchup and more, as we dive into college football Week 6 betting nuggets.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place […]
Flaco-Roque decide e Palmeiras atropela Vasco por 3 a 0 no Brasileirão
Flaco Lopez comemora gol contra o Vasco. Foto: Marcello Zambrana/AGIFCom o resultado, o Palmeiras chega aos 52 pontos, assume a vice-liderança e ultrapassa o Cruzeiro, que estaciona nos 51. Já o Vasco, com 30 pontos, permanece na 12ª colocação, distante da zona de rebaixamento, mas sem conseguir se firmar no meio da tabela. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEPrimeira etapa dominada pelo VerdãoO jogo começou equilibrado, com o Palmeiras estudando a equipe vascaína e valorizando a posse de bola. No entanto, bastou uma falha defensiva do time visitante para os donos da casa abrirem o placar logo aos seis minutos. Raphael Veiga tentou acelerar pelo meio, a bola desviou no passe e sobrou para Flaco López. O argentino mostrou faro de gol, ganhou a disputa contra Robert Renan e finalizou com categoria, de canhota, para superar Léo Jardim: 1 a 0. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEO Vasco tentou […]
MLB playoffs 2025: Guardians’ offense finally breaks out to force Game 3 vs. Tigers, recapture their September magic just in time
CLEVELAND — It wasn’t the "Guards Ball" we’ve grown accustomed to watching and marveling at, but maybe that’s for the best.On the brink of elimination against the Detroit Tigers in the AL wild-card series, the Cleveland Guardians’ offense exploded for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday in Game 2, supplying all the scoring required for a 6-1 victory to force a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll season, the Guardians have struggled in nearly every facet of production at the plate. Getting on base consistently has been a chore. Crooked numbers have been rare. Slugging has been a tall task. Instead, Cleveland leaned heavily on its standout pitching staff to fuel an unlikely surge up the standings and into the postseason. Its run production was timely but rarely bountiful. The Guardians found ways to manufacture just enough […]
MLB playoffs 2025: Guardians’ offense finally breaks out to force Game 3 vs. Tigers, recapture their September magic just in time
CLEVELAND — It wasn’t the "Guards Ball" we’ve grown accustomed to watching and marveling at, but maybe that’s for the best.On the brink of elimination against the Detroit Tigers in the AL wild-card series, the Cleveland Guardians’ offense exploded for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday in Game 2, supplying all the scoring required for a 6-1 victory to force a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll season, the Guardians have struggled in nearly every facet of production at the plate. Getting on base consistently has been a chore. Crooked numbers have been rare. Slugging has been a tall task. Instead, Cleveland leaned heavily on its standout pitching staff to fuel an unlikely surge up the standings and into the postseason. Its run production was timely but rarely bountiful. The Guardians found ways to manufacture just enough […]
Be the first to leave a comment