Fans Feel Dillon Gabriel’s Newest Social Media Post is “Disrespectful” to Veteran Baker Mayfield

Dillon Gabriel will wear number 6 in year two with the Browns.

Fans Feel Dillon Gabriel’s Newest Social Media Post is “Disrespectful” to Veteran Baker Mayfield

Dillon Gabriel and Baker Mayfield (Image via IMAGO)

Dillon Gabriel finally has a jersey number. And it’s a number that the Cleveland Browns have a love-hate relationship with.

When he first became a Browns player, the club assigned him the number 8, a number he wore in college for Oklahoma and Oregon. In year two, Gabriel picked a new number, the number 6.

Previously, that number belonged to Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. It became available because there’s doubt surrounding his career. Owusu-Koramoah hasn’t played a game after suffering a severe neck injury in Week 8 of the 2024 season. The Browns put him on the injured reserve or the PUP list.

However, Owusu-Koramoah isn’t the player whom Gabriel is referring to in his latest post after acquiring 6. He posted a photo of former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.

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Fans call out Dillon Gabriel for comparing himself to Baker Mayfield

The Browns drafted Mayfield first overall in 2018, a draft that included Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson. Mayfield is the only quarterback drafted by the Browns in the last 20 years to lead the team to a playoff victory.

Fans Feel Dillon Gabriel's Newest Social Media Post is "Disrespectful" to Veteran Baker Mayfield
Dillon Gabriel (Image via IMAGO)

Gabriel has had a rocky start to his career in Cleveland. Drafted in the fifth round, the 25-year-old found himself in a QB battle with veteran Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders. He secured the backup job behind Flacco and took over as the starter following a string of losses.

Gabriel started six games and posted a 1-5 record. He completed 110 passes for 937 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. He lost his place on the team to Sanders and is unlikely to see game time in 2026. He’s viewed as the odd man out, and fans wouldn’t mind if the Browns cut him in the coming weeks.

In this environment, he compares himself with Mayfield. Regardless of his past differences, Mayfield is still considered a top quarterback in Cleveland. So that’s why some didn’t appreciate Gabriel’s post.

Some fans even pointed out that Mayfield wasn’t the only quarterback to don the number 6. Cody Kessler, whom the Browns drafted two years before Mayfield, also had the same number. Kessler played just 17 games before leaving the NFL.

Mayfield didn’t exactly have a great spell with the Browns. Unfortunately, a fallout with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. cost Baker his place on the team. Mayfield has revived his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is poised to sign a massive contract.

Why is Dillon Gabriel no longer wearing number 8?

Gabriel played his rookie season wearing the number 8. But he will be wearing six in year two.

So, what prompted the change? Gabriel gave up his number to pass rusher Jared Verse after the Browns acquired him in the Myles Garrett trade. According to Touchdown Wire, Verse did not have to pay Gabriel any money.

Fans have already given Verse the nickname “V8” after seeing him wear the number.

The Browns were shopping Garrett around to several NFL teams. Among them were the Rams and the Eagles. They were getting first-rounders as draft capital, but also wanted a younger player in the deal. The Rams threw Verse in the mix, and the Browns accepted the offer.

Gabriel played collegiate football for six years. Three seasons with the University of Central Florida Knights, followed by a couple of seasons with the Sooners, and his senior year at Oregon.

In 64 games, Gabriel posted a 46-17 record. He completed 1376 passes for 18,722 yards and threw 155 touchdowns. He also rushed for 424 yards and scored 33 touchdowns.

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