Past Oregon Duck quarterback has mixed results in professional debut but could still be in play to start for the Cleveland Browns
Former Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel had an up and down day in his NFL debut.
The Cleveland Browns got their first look at rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel under live NFL action Saturday, and his preseason debut proved to be a mixed bag of poise, playmaking, and a few mistakes.
Gabriel finished 13-of-18 passing for 143 yards, leading three scoring drives while completing over 72% of his attempts. He looked comfortable running Kevin Stefanski’s offense, particularly on third downs, where he went a perfect 6-of-6 for 51 yards with a 102.1 passer rating. For stretches, the rookie showcased the decision-making and accuracy that made him an intriguing prospect out of Oregon.
“Dillon showed command of the offense and did a good job keeping us on schedule,” Stefanski said afterward. “He was efficient and confident, especially on third down. Obviously, there are some things we’ll clean up, but for a first outing, I liked what I saw.”
Despite the efficient stat line, Gabriel’s night wasn’t spotless. Early in the second quarter, a miscommunication with tight end Blake Whiteheart led to a pick-six, as Eagles rookie Andrew Mukuba jumped the route and returned it for a touchdown.
On the very next series, Gabriel mishandled a handoff to running back Pierre Strong Jr., resulting in another turnover. He also absorbed two sacks during the first half, reminders of the adjustment curve from college football to the speed of the NFL.
Still, Gabriel didn’t appear rattled. He bounced back to guide the Browns on an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive late in the half, highlighted by a series of accurate short-to-intermediate throws that extended plays and kept the offense in rhythm.
The Browns’ quarterback room is as crowded as it is competitive, with Shedeur Sanders (currently nursing an oblique injury), Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Tyler Huntley all in the mix. Gabriel’s debut performance didn’t vault him into contention for the starting job, but it gave the coaching staff a clearer view of where he stands.
For Gabriel, the debut was as much about flashing potential as it was about exposing areas for growth. He showed he can operate Stefanski’s system and move the ball consistently, but he’ll need to limit errors if he wants to climb the depth chart.
“It wasn’t perfect, but it’s a start,” Gabriel said after the game. “I just want to build on this, learn from the mistakes, and keep getting better every week.”
The Browns have two more preseason games to evaluate their quarterbacks, and while Gabriel may remain behind the veterans for now, his efficient stretches and competitive spirit suggest he could carve out a meaningful role down the line.
