Dillon Gabriel’s Comment Sparks Controversy Amid Browns’ QB Battle

Dillon Gabriel saw his first preseason action Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, but it was his in-game interview that drew the most attention.

Gabriel completed 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards in the Browns’ 22-13 victory. He also threw a pick-six in the second quarter after one of his receivers ran the wrong route. Gabriel played the first half before being relieved by Tyler Huntley.

Gabriel is competing with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders for the starting job in Cleveland. Sanders, who threw for 138 yards and two touchdowns in his debut last week, sat out Saturday’s game with an oblique injury.

During his sideline interview on the Browns’ broadcast, Gabriel made remarks that many interpreted as a subtle jab at Sanders.

“There are entertainers and there are competitors. And I totally understand that. And my job is to compete. That’s what I’m focused on doing,” Gabriel said, with the interview being posted by the official NFL X account. “We’re doing this midgame, but it’s something I’ll get used to. I just want to be the best teammate I can and we can all do our best work.”

Gabriel later clarified in his postgame press conference that the comment was not directed at Sanders.

“I’m all about our team,” Gabriel said. “I’ve said it before, for me the entertainers are (the media). Competitor, that’s what I am and all my teammates are. We all have jobs to do.”

Browns Yet to Name Starting Quarterback

After the game, Stefanski declined to draw comparisons between his two rookie quarterbacks.

“I’m not going to compare our players,” Stefanski said. “I’m pleased with both of those guys, where they’re at in their progression. They have the mentality that they’re going to get better every single day, which I appreciate.”

The quarterback depth chart remains unsettled, though Flacco is considered the clear favorite for the Week 1 starting job, with an announcement expected soon. Pickett has been limited by a hamstring injury for much of camp, while Gabriel and Sanders each have one preseason start.

Stefanski said he hopes to have all four quarterbacks available for the team’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams.

“I hope so, but I’m not sure,” Stefanski said.

Browns Says Dillon Gabriel Can ‘Clean Up’ Play

Gabriel looked sharp for much of his work against the Eagles, though a few key mistakes stood out — most notably a pick-six.

“That can never happen on that play. We can’t do that as a football team,” Stefanski said. “Plenty to clean up. There’s some things that I thought he did well. I thought our offense as a whole on third down was very good early, which allowed us to stay on the field, because I don’t think we were great on first and second down, but plenty to clean up.”

The Browns will return for a week of work in Cleveland after being on the road for their first two preseason matchups. They’ll face the Rams on August 23 as their final test.