The Cleveland Browns faced significant quarterback decisions in the offseason over their starter and roster spots, and more could loom as the season unfolds due to Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel played in the preseason for his team and impressed in the Browns' final game, but unfortunately, he also suffered a back injury. After medical evaluation and testing, Gabriel landed on the team's injured reserve list, rather than filling a quarterback spot on the team's roster.
That occurred after speculation about a potential trade involving Gabriel, since the Browns already had three other capable quarterbacks in Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and their 2026 sixth-round pick Taylen Green. Browns general manager Andrew Berry said on ESPN 850 Cleveland that the team hadn't expected Gabriel to get injured before the deadline to finalize their roster, and heading into that, they "were expecting to carry four" quarterbacks. More news: Cardinals’ Jeremiyah Love Sends Strong Message on Playing in Week 1 "Roster decisions, it really kind of depends on where you are and how guys have performed throughout the year.
So we'll make that decision when that time comes," Berry said. He called the quarterback "the most important position in sports" and said that could mean being a productive player that helps a team win, or "turning it into something else that your team does need." "It has such a big impact on teams and on rosters, and you have a number of developmental spots anyways. That's the highest leverage.
If you have a promising young quarterback or a quarterback you want to find out about, you know that's higher leverage than really any other developmental position," Berry said. As mentioned, some speculation began to swirl about the team potentially trading Gabriel during the offseason, but his injury likely halted any of those plans. Three teams mentioned in various trade rumors or speculation included the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, and Atlanta Falcons.
Gabriel, a 5-foot-11, 205-pound quarterback who played for Oregon, was Cleveland's starter for part of last season. He played 10 games, completing 110 of 185 passes for 937 yards and seven touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was 1-5 in his six starts and also suffered a concussion in Week 11.
That paved the way for then-rookie Sanders to take over the starting role for the Browns, and ultimately, he competed with the team's veteran acquisition from several seasons ago, Watson, for this season's starting job. Watson was named the team's starter ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the Jaguars. Time will tell if Gabriel remains on the Browns after he returns or the team makes another decision about his spot on the roster.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
