Browns Rookie Dillon Gabriel Gets High Marks from Myles Garrett Before First NFL Start

Dillon Gabriel is one of the most experienced collegiate quarterbacks ever, with more than sixty starts across six seasons.

Browns Rookie Dillon Gabriel Gets High Marks from Myles Garrett Before First NFL Start

Dillon Gabriel, Myles Garrett (Images via Reuters)

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The Cleveland Browns (1-3), after yet another poor start to the season, has benched their starter and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco ahead of their international game against the Minnesota Vikings (2-2) this week. Flacco will be replaced by rookie and Oregon Ducks product, Dillon Gabriel, who was picked up by the franchise in the third round of the NFL Player’s Draft last spring.

On Sunday, Dillon Gabriel will become the seventeenth quarterback since 1999 to debut their first career start in the Browns’ colors. The 24-year-old doesn’t have the best of the fixture for a career start; none of the sixteen before him has won their first start. They have, in fact, thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in that specific game.

Gabriel is also up against the Vikings, who are one of the best defenses in the league, led by Brian Flores. The Vikings are also desperate for a win after losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week in Dublin. The pressure is on Dillon Gabriel, especially with Shedeur Sanders in tow. Sanders, who fell to the fifth round following a lot of off-field drama, has several fans and analysts who are urging the Browns to start the Colorado Buffaloes product.

The shift from Flacco to Gabriel does seem like a glass cliff. The quarterback faces the Pittsburgh Steelers in the next week and the potential of a 1-5 start cannot be written off. Amid the tensions and pressures, Gabriel has found support in Myles Garrett.

Garrett, as one of the most experienced athletes on the Browns roster, spoke highly of Gabriel in his pre-game press conference. He admitted being impressed by the way Gabriel has handled the offense and mentioned that he expected similar results on Sunday.

I mean, he just runs the offense like this is his offense. And that’s all you can ask for from any quarterback. He comes out, smile on his face, chest out, gives the call, and it looks like he’s been doing it for years, the way he manages the offense. So, I’m looking forward to him doing the same thing on Sunday.

The Minnesota Vikings clash will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Quinshon Judkins also praised Dillon Gabriel ahead of the London game

Quinshon Judkins has become one of the rare finds for the Browns this season. The rookie from Alabama has made his name known in the few weeks he has played professional football. So far, in three games, he has recorded 237 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns, and 8 receptions.

Dillon Gabriel
Dillon Gabriel (Image via ABC News)

Judkins appreciated Dillon Gabriel and called him, “Super mobile, obviously smart, super talented.” His statement came through Zac Jackson, who’s a beat reporter focused on the Browns.

Dillon Gabriel, who’s approaching his first career start with a view of a fire station in action, received the vote of confidence from Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski admitted that he’s excited to see the young quarterback in action on Sunday. He added that Gabriel has been putting in the work for the past few months and that he’s ready to showcase his talents on the big stage as a starter.

From the second he’s been here, he’s been working very hard, very intelligent young man. He’s done a nice job throughout practice, and this whole season he’s been learning how to get yourself ready, and understand the rhythm of an NFL week, and what that looks like as a backup. And obviously, now feel like he’s ready to start.

Gabriel has had one of the toughest starts for a rookie this year. He would hope that things go his way in London despite the odds. After all, his job’s very much at stake.

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