Steelers President Art Rooney II Calls for NFL Discipline on Browns QB After Punching DEFENDER in Face

Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney II has demanded immediate NFL action against Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who punched Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen in the face during a heated Week 6 clash. The incident, which occurred in the second quarter of the Browns' 23-9 loss, has sparked outrage across Steelers Nation, with Rooney labeling it a blatant assault that demands severe punishment.

Footage from the game at Acrisure Stadium shows Gabriel, a third-round pick in the 2025 Draft, swinging a closed fist at Queen. Queen, the Steelers' defensive captain, returned to the game and finished with 9 tackles and a forced fumble, but the unprovoked strike has left the team fuming.

Rooney, in a fiery statement released, condemned the act and urged Commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend Gabriel for multiple games. “We’ve never seen anything like this before—a quarterback throwing a punch straight to the face of one of our players. It’s unacceptable and dangerous. The NFL must discipline Gabriel harshly to protect the integrity of the game. Patrick Queen is a warrior, but no one should endure such cowardice on the field.”

Queen, a 2024 All-Pro with 112 tackles last season, required stitches but avoided a concussion. “It’s football, but that was personal,” Queen said postgame. “I’ll be ready next week.”

The NFL has not announced a decision, but such acts typically warrant fines or suspensions. As the Steelers (4-1) prepare for their Week 7 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Rooney’s call for justice resonates, uniting Steelers Nation in support of their captain.

Browns Insider Confirms David Njoku Will Stay Despite Trade Rumors

The Cleveland Browns have been active in the trade market, but it appears they won’t be trading one impact offensive weapon.

Cleveland has already dealt Joe Flacco and Greg Newsome II and could look to trade off more pieces before the trade deadline. However, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot reported on X that Cleveland is unlikely to trade star tight end David Njoku.

“The #Browns will likely make more trades, but are not looking to sell off key players such as TE David Njoku. (But they also didn’t plan to trade Joe Flacco or Greg Newsome II),” Cabot wrote.

Njoku is in the final year of his four-year, $54.75 million deal with the Browns. With him being a pending free agent, many thought his name could come up in trade talks. Especially with rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in line to get more snaps.

But, according to Cabot, Cleveland doesn’t want to trade Njoku, and the tight end should finish off the year with the Browns.

Njoku has recorded 23 receptions for 223 yards and 1 touchdown this season.

Njoku Suffers Injury in Week 6

Cleveland did get some bad news about Njoku on Sunday as the star tight end suffered an injury.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski revealed postgame on Sunday that Njoku suffered an injury to his knee, and not his thigh as initially reported. It’s unclear the severity of the injury.

Before exiting the game with an injury, Njoku finished the game with three catches for 28 yards on six targets. The star tight end has been a safety blanket for rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, but if Njoku does miss some time, Fannin Jr. will have to step up.

Fannin Jr. was selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft by Cleveland. He’s recorded 28 receptions for 254 yards and a touchdown this season.

Browns Offense Needs to be Better

Cleveland suffered a 23-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in a game the Browns failed to score a touchdown. It was a disappointing result for the offense.

Following the game, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear the offense has to get better and find ways to get into the end zone.

“We’ve got to find a way to score points. We’ve got to run the ball efficiently,” Stefanski said. “Got to find a way to be better in the pass game. All of the above.. We’re doing some things right now that are preventing us from winning. We’ll get it fixed.”

Cleveland will host the Miami Dolphins in Week 7.

Stefanski Could Give Up Play-Calling

Following Cleveland’s failure to find the endzone, the Browns could make a major change on offense.

Stefanski revealed he’s considering giving up the offensive play-calling in hopes it sparks the offense.

“Stefanski said ‘there’s a long list of things we gotta do better’ in an answer that included potentially changing play-callers,” Zac Jackson of The Athletic reported via X.

If Stefanski does give up play-calling, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees would likely call the offensive plays. Rees spent last season as Cleveland’s Pass game specialist and tight ends coach after he was the Alabama Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator in 2023.

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