Is Dillon Gabriel in Over His Head With the Browns?
The Cleveland Browns made headlines by signing veteran Tyler Huntley, crowding what was already one of the most packed quarterback rooms in the league. Huntley’s experience might be welcome, especially considering the uncertainty swirling around rookie QB Dillon Gabriel.
The young passer has struggled mightily in training camp. Last Friday, reports surfaced that he completed just 3 of 14 passes during team drills. Which is an alarming stat for any quarterback, let alone a rookie. That performance prompted Cleveland reporter Daryl Ruiter to deliver a brutal assessment:
“He’s not good, he’s not an NFL quarterback, not right now,” Ruiter said. “The fact they keep running him out there for first-team reps… it’s not good.”
Ruiter questioned why the team continues to give Gabriel such prominent practice reps, especially when others like Kenny Pickett are recovering from injury. His frustration isn’t about Gabriel’s height or potential; it’s about execution.
“He can’t hit guys that are wide open,” Ruiter added bluntly.
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Reality Check: Gabriel’s Role Should Be Clearer
Gabriel isn’t a first-round pick. In fact, he was drafted in the third round, after the Browns traded away their No. 2 overall pick to the Jaguars. That alone should manage expectations.
Still, critics like Ruiter argue the Browns are trying to sell Gabriel as more than he is: a future starter, rather than a developmental QB.
“He’s a third-round pick, and the problem is they’re forcing me to evaluate him like he’s a first-round pick,” said Ruiter.
Even during warmups and 11-on-11s, Ruiter says Gabriel hasn’t shown the consistency expected of an NFL-caliber quarterback.
But Not Everyone’s Out on Gabriel Just Yet
While the criticism is loud, not everyone in the league is ready to close the book on Dillon Gabriel. An anonymous AFC executive told ESPN the Browns might have a project worth developing.
“He’s been a team captain since middle school, been good everywhere he’s been,” the exec said. “He’s a good player… just tiny.”
Indeed, Gabriel’s size will likely remain a concern. But with a tight spiral, decent touch, and leadership pedigree, there’s still intrigue. He may not be ready now, but it’s possible the Browns are playing the long game.
With Huntley in the mix and Gabriel under the microscope, the Browns have some tough decisions ahead. Whether Gabriel rises to the occasion or fades into the background, one thing’s for sure — Cleveland’s quarterback drama is far from over.
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