Browns Insider Gives Blunt Take on Future of Dillon Gabriel
The Cleveland Browns could soon make a quarterback change, according to one insider.
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com believes the team needs more from rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel has been managing the game well, but he hasn’t been taking many risks, as he has failed to throw for a touchdown in back-to-back games.
Ahead of Cleveland’s Week 8 road game against the New England Patriots, Cabot believes Gabriel needs to show something.
“But what they have going on right now. It is not working. It’s unsustainable and must change,” Cabot said on the Orange and Brown Talk podcast.
In the Browns’ 31-6 win over the Miami Dolphins, Gabriel went 13-for-18 for 116 yards. Although the weather was bad, Cabot wanted to see more from the rookie quarterback.
Cabot believes Gabriel’s play of no turnovers and trying to play it safe isn’t sustainable and isn’t a way to win games, which is why she believes it could lead to a quarterback change in the future.
Browns Coach Pleased With Gabriel’s ‘Clean’ Play
Although Cabot wasn’t thrilled with Gabriel’s play, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski did like his play.
Gabriel played well in the weather as he took care of the football, which Stefanski is pleased about. On Monday, he spoke to reporters and reflected on Gabriel’s game, and was pleased about it.
“Yeah, I think with all of our young players, we’re learning about them every day they’re in the building,” Stefanski said on Monday. “Obviously, these games are important for them and putting them in different situations.
“So obviously, Dillon’s only three games into his career, and it’s had some unique challenges, but to be able to play clean and take care of the football for this football team and obviously get his first win as a starting quarterback yesterday, I thought was, you know, good for him. Obviously, that’s something that you always remember.”
Gabriel will remain the Browns’ starting quarterback on Sunday against the Patriots. The rookie will continue to take care of the football and help manage Cleveland’s offense.
Insider Claims Shedeur Sanders Will Start Soon
The Browns selected Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Cleveland is likely to start both of them at some point.
Gabriel has started three games and will start a fourth this week. Yet, NFL insider Tony Rizzo reported this week that Cleveland plans to start Sanders in the near future.
“I need to see Shedeur when they are going to give him a chance,” Rizzo said on ESPN Cleveland. “And, by that, I mean they have to tell him he’s starting on Monday. It’s not going to happen anytime soon, I get it. But you have the Patriots and then the bye week. I was told by two different sources yesterday at the stadium, one said Shedeur will start the last four games of the season, no matter what.
“Unless the Browns win every game through the Titans week, Shedeur will play the Bears, Bills, Steelers, and Bengals; they want to see what he’s got. Another said he could be in play earlier than that.”
The Browns are off to a 2-5 start.
Christian Gonzalez Returns to Practice: Big Boost for Patriots' Defense
Seven weeks after injuring his hamstring, cornerback Christian Gonzalez has finally returned to practice.
It couldn't have come at a better time for the New England Patriots, as they are looking to build on their momentum from the Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. The news surrounding Gonzalez became official mid-week. It was then Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed that the cornerback is ready to return to the practice fields and potentially in New England’s Week 3 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium.
One of the best cornerbacks among the NFL and a second-team All-Pro selection in 2024, Gonzalez entered his third training camp as New England’s undisputed No. 1 cornerback. His previously mentioned injury occurred during the team’s first full-pads practice of the summer in late July after getting banged up during an 11-on-11 drill.
During Gonzalez’s absence, the Patriots primarily shifted to a mix of Alex Austin and Marcus Jones to help fill the starter role opposite Carlton Davis. And while those guys helped the Patriots achieve their current 1-1 record, it seems like everyone is excited to have Gonzalez back in action.
“It’s very exciting,” said safety Jaylinn Hawkins. “We all know Gonzo is shutdown, a playmaker. He’s another playmaker on the team. It’s hella exciting. I know he’s really excited to be back. Nobody wants to miss games or be hurt or be injured. I’m excited. My dawg’s back. We’re going to go out there and rock out.”
In 2024, the Oregon alum tallied 59 total tackles across 16 games played.
Gonzalez's non-contact injury was sustained while he watched matched up against wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Diggs is another player on the Patriots' roster who said the team will be better when they have Gonzalez back and available.
“Obviously, Zo is one of our stars, especially from that cornerback position,” Diggs said. “I feel like he plays a key role on our defense, and he’s definitely one of the captains on this team. … From a personal view, we’d be super excited to have him back. Hell of a player.”
Gonzalez was originally selected No. 17 overall by New England in 2023. And sure — nobody can deny that the more players available, the better. But the others players on the Patriots own roster have said that having Gonzalez specifically available can only better the franchise.
“It’s going to help our team and our defense, for sure,” Carlton Davis said. “It could make my job easier because we’re going to be getting off the field more and celebrate more when he makes plays. It should be fun. I’m excited for it.”
