Cleveland, OH – October 15, 2025 — Former NFL star and current analyst Josh Cribbs has voiced his growing concern over the recent struggles of Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel. After an inconsistent start to the 2025 season, Cribbs has raised doubts about Gabriel’s development, citing the young quarterback’s struggles to find consistency in both his decision-making and overall performance.
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Cribbs, who played for the Browns during his illustrious career, is no stranger to the pressures that come with playing under the bright lights of the NFL. However, he’s now speaking out as a concerned observer regarding Gabriel’s progression, which he believes has been slower than expected.
“I’m really worried about Dillon,” Cribbs said during a recent broadcast. “I’ve watched him over the past few games, and I just don’t see the growth I was hoping for. There’s talent there, no doubt, but it feels like he’s taking a step back instead of moving forward. He’s struggling with his reads, and his timing has been off. The decision-making is inconsistent, and that’s the kind of thing that can really hurt a young quarterback.”
Gabriel, who took over the starting role for the Browns in 2025, was highly touted coming into the season for his strong arm and leadership ability. However, his performances have been uneven, with some key interceptions and missed opportunities in crucial moments. While flashes of his potential have been visible, it hasn’t been enough to win over many fans or analysts, and Cribbs isn’t the only one questioning his development.
“The biggest issue I see is that he’s not progressing as quickly as the team needs him to,” Cribbs continued. “The Browns have put a lot of stock into Gabriel, but if he doesn’t clean up these mistakes, it could set back his career, and it’ll hold the whole team back. At the end of the day, quarterbacks need to be the leaders, and he’s still finding his way.”
Gabriel's struggles have been especially noticeable in critical moments, where the quarterback has failed to execute in the red zone or on third downs. The Browns, a team with playoff aspirations, are relying heavily on Gabriel to lead the offense, but his inconsistency has raised concerns about whether he can rise to the challenge.
Despite his critiques, Cribbs is not giving up on Gabriel. He understands the pressure that comes with being a young quarterback in the NFL and believes that with the right guidance and focus, Gabriel can turn things around.
“I’ve seen quarterbacks go through rough patches and come out on the other side. Dillon has the tools, but he needs to work on his mental game and his confidence,” Cribbs said. “I want to see him get back on track, but I’m not going to lie—it’s going to be tough if things don’t improve soon.”
As the Browns look ahead to the remainder of the season, all eyes will be on Gabriel. The pressure is mounting for him to prove that he can develop into the franchise quarterback Cleveland needs. With Cribbs and many others watching closely, the young QB will need to dig deep to show that he’s capable of living up to the expectations that were set for him.
