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<\/p>\nBEREA, Ohio \u2014 Dillon Gabriel knows he\u2019s got a wealth of knowledge at his fingertips \u2014 or rather, in his position room.<\/p>\n
The Browns rookie QB, who Cleveland drafted in the third round, is one of four quarterbacks duking it out for the starting job. <\/p>\n
The others are Kenny Pickett, who is about to enter his fourth season; Joe Flacco, who is about to enter his 18th season; and fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders. Deshaun Watson has also been present, although not on the field, as he continues to recover from re-rupturing his Achilles. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust a diverse room,\u201d Gabriel said on Tuesday following the first day of mandatory minicamp. \u201cDiversity in experience, and you just appreciate those guys. I think what we\u2019ve done as a room really well is the inability to dwell on the past. We\u2019re just extremely present.\u201d <\/p>\n
Gabriel\u2019s assessment of the room\u2019s diverse experiences is accurate.<\/p>\n
While he and Sanders are still getting used to the NFL basics, there are few who have been around as long as Flacco, the former Super Bowl MVP, who has played over 1,000 postseason snaps. <\/p>\n
And Pickett may only be about to enter year four, but he now also has a Super Bowl ring from serving as Jalen Hurts\u2019 backup in Philadelphia last season, after spending the first two years of his career with the Steelers. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think there\u2019s a lot of juice in the squeeze,\u201d Gabriel said. \u201cBut you got to ask the right questions and that\u2019s how I try to approach every single day.\u201d <\/p>\n
So what are the right questions, in Gabriel\u2019s mind?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
1\/66<\/p>\n
Cleveland Browns’ veteran minicamp, June 10, 2025<\/p>\n
To hear him describe it, it\u2019s almost like a quarterback TED Talk. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would just say when we talk through a certain concept, couldn\u2019t give you the name, but if you think conceptually about a play, truly, the intent of the play could change just based on how you think of it,\u201d Gabriel said. \u201cAnd we had a play this offseason of, maybe if it\u2019s man or zone, you play it this way or you see it this way. But footwork, your eyes starting somewhere, it could change the whole play. So appreciate Joe and Kenny for their perspective on that.\u201d<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s not just limited to Flacco and Pickett.<\/p>\n
Gabriel said Watson has continued to be a valuable resource for him in the meeting room.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we\u2019re talking through concepts, I think it\u2019s super cool that we do have five guys in the room that kind of can speak to their own experience and even Deshaun this morning, talking through a concept and kind of how he sees it in the red (zone) area,\u201d Gabriel said. \u201cAnd I even go back, it can change the play in a big way, just how you think of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also been about Gabriel learning what he can from the other side of the ball, too.<\/p>\n
In minicamp and OTAs there\u2019s no pads, no real hitting. It\u2019s difficult to glean much in the trenches or get a true feel for the pass rush.<\/p>\n
But with Myles Garrett on the other side, it\u2019s still a good measuring stick for rookie QBs when it comes to NFL edge rushers.<\/p>\n
Gabriel got a taste of it during 11-on-11s Tuesday, when he took some first team reps. On one throw intended for rookie back Quinshon Judkins, Garrett broke through and had to pull up to stop himself from ramming into the rookie QB. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s running the offense pretty well,\u201d Garrett said. \u201cHis eyes got pretty big when I got free and I was face up on him. But all of them look pretty calm, just going through their checks, going through their calls, making the plays they need to make, not doing too much right now and they\u2019ll have time to continue to display their talents and it\u2019s just one day at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gabriel said a version of a sentiment that just about every new QB who has walked through the doors here since 2017 has said at some point or another. <\/p>\n
\u201cVery happy he\u2019s on our team,\u201d Gabriel said. \u201cBut also just as competitor, that\u2019s what you look forward to. Playing against the best and him being able to be out here today and us compete, that\u2019s huge. And getting everyone back together.\u201d<\/p>\n
It all speaks to Gabriel\u2019s larger approach, not just in attempting to win the starting job, but to football and even life in general.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s trying to be the best student he can be.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not going to walk into a situation not knowing what I\u2019m walking into, so I like to know a little bit about my teammates,\u201d Gabriel said. And I think just in general, if you approach the game as a student, you learn every single day and you improve every single day. So that\u2019s just how I\u2019ve been.\u201d <\/p>\n
The real learning is only beginning. <\/p>\n