With Shedeur Sanders out, Dillon Gabriel adds spicy comments after pick-six

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel entered Saturday’s preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles looking to make an impact. His NFL debut came after sitting out the previous week with a hamstring injury, and circumstances thrust him into the starting role.

Joe Flacco was resting, Kenny Pickett remained limited by his own hamstring issue, and fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders, who had impressed in his debut, was sidelined with an oblique injury. Needless to say Gabriel needed to show he could handle the moment.

For much of the first half, he did just that. Gabriel looked in command early, completing eight of his nine passes in the opening quarter. His quick decision-making, and accuracy were on full display as he led the Browns on multiple scoring drives. He capped one with a rushing touchdown by Ahmani Marshall and orchestrated two more that ended in field goals, including an efficient two-minute drill. Gabriel’s stat line read 13-of-18 for 143 yards by halftime, but it wasn’t flawless.

The play that overshadowed much of the discussion was a sideline throw into traffic that Philadelphia turned into a pick-six. A mishandled exchange with running back Pierre Strong resulted in a fumble as well.

Afterward, Gabriel’s postgame comments drew buzz. “There’s entertainers and there’s competitors and I understand that but my job is to compete,” he said. He clarified that the “entertainers” remark was aimed at the media, not his teammates, but the quote nevertheless made headlines.