The Cleveland Browns ushered in the era of Dillon Gabriel earlier this week when they traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Gabriel, a third-round rookie out of Oregon, earned his first start against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. And while the Browns tailored a minimalistic offensive scheme to help ease Gabriel into his first meaningful NFL action, allowing him to lean on short passes and quick reads mostly to tight ends and running backs, the first-year QB rose to the challenge. He finished the day 19-of-33 for 190 yards, two touchdowns and zero turnovers.
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That performance was enough for Cleveland to give the green light to the Flacco trade on Tuesday, sending him and a sixth-round pick to the Bengals in return for a fifth-round selection in next year’s NFL draft.
Gabriel spoke to reporters on Wednesday about the deal as well as his elevation into the role of starting QB.
“Dynamic is always evolving, especially when there is change,” Gabriel said of stepping into the No. 1 role in Cleveland’s QB room in place of Flacco. “I think it still goes back to us being able to have that experience for ourselves. I think you learn the best when you are thrown into the fire a little bit. I’d be a hypocrite to say otherwise. So I think the more experience you gain, game after game, week after week, you’ll get better. And [Bailey Zappe] has played a bunch of ball as well.”
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Gabriel figures to start for the foreseeable future, though it is likely Cleveland will get his fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders some real run under center before the year is out. The Browns have two first-round picks in the 2026 draft, which should boast at least two or three high-quality QB prospects, and Cleveland could be in position to select one if the franchise feels doing so is prudent.
After the Flacco trade, arguably the most interesting storyline coming out of the Browns’ QB room this week is who head coach Kevin Stefanski will slot in as the backup behind Gabriel on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. It could be Sanders, though Zappe might make more sense as a veteran if the coaching staff doesn’t believe Sanders is yet ready for the role.
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