Cleveland turns to rookie Dillon Gabriel

The Browns are making a cleanable interruption astatine quarterback. Veteran Joe Flacco heads to the bench, and rookie Dillon Gabriel volition commencement Sunday against the Vikings successful London. Players were told Wednesday morning, and the squad aboriginal confirmed the determination without detailing the extent illustration down Gabriel. Flacco is acceptable arsenic the No. 2, with chap rookie Shedeur Sanders remaining the exigency option.

Why the power now

Turnovers defined Cleveland’s archetypal month. Joe Flacco has thrown six interceptions and committed an NFL-high 8 turnovers done 4 games. His 27.0 Total QBR ranks up of lone Tennessee rookie Cam Ward among qualifiers. The discourtesy has sputtered to 14 points per game, second-fewest successful the league. After a 34–10 nonaccomplishment to the Lions, wherever Flacco tossed 2 first-half picks, manager Kevin Stefanski declined to perpetrate to him for Week 5. Gabriel finished the last bid successful Detroit, arsenic helium did precocious successful a Week 2 decision to Baltimore.

What Gabriel brings

Cleveland drafted Gabriel with the 94th prime successful April aft a six-year assemblage tally astatine UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Coaches gave him extended snaps with the starters successful camp, signaling openness to an aboriginal transition. He is close connected timing throws, moves good extracurricular structure, and gets the shot retired rapidly — traits this strategy favors erstwhile extortion wobbles. The nine volition inquire him to negociate drives, sharpen red-zone execution, and trim giveaways.

The veteran’s reset

Flacco, past season’s Comeback Player of the Year, rejoined Cleveland connected a one-year, $4 cardinal woody aft a 2024 halt with the Colts. He won a crowded summertime contention that included Sanders and Kenny Pickett; Pickett was aboriginal traded to the Raiders. Now helium becomes security down a rookie who has earned the huddle. The stakes are immediate: an overseas stage, a top-tier opponent, and a accidental for Cleveland to reset an discourtesy that needs bushed much than rhetoric.