Dillon Gabriel’s journey with the Cleveland Browns is at a precarious point. The quarterback, tuning out the trade talk, shared a social media update signaling his return to the facility following an injury-plagued rookie season.

“Back in Cleveland. Quick dump from the last couple weeks,” Gabriel wrote on his Instagram on May 25. “City runs, a few stops around town, and getting back into the routine.” 

After his rookie season ended with a concussion in Week 10, he remained quiet in the off-season as the Browns underwent a major haul. Veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson has returned from an injury, fighting for the starting QB position with Shedeur Sanders. 

The Browns have also drafted a new QB, Taylen Green, leaving Gabriel to prove he deserves a spot on the roster. However, the 25-year-old has refused to get caught up in the unforeseen changes.

“You know, I think I’m just running my own race and focused on what I can control, and that’s mastering my reps and doing it a high level,” Gabriel said on April 21, during the Berea minicamp. 

Last season, the Oregon alumnus was picked in round three and played in 10 games. From those, the Browns had won just one. He threw for 937 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. 

“The ball security was a positive, but Gabriel struggled to consistently push the ball downfield and generate explosive plays,” a May 24 Heavy article noted. 

The Browns ended the 2025 season with a 5-12 record, and Shedeur Sanders, who eventually replaced Gabriel, led the team with 1,400 passing yards. Their offense was ranked 30th for scoring just 14 points per game.

The Browns will likely trim their four-man quarterback room to three before the season begins.

Experts Give Reasons Behind Why The Browns Could Trade Dillon Gabriel

The Athletic’s analyst Zac Jackson noted that the Cleveland Browns’ QB1 race boils down to just two quarterbacks: Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Jackson believes that Dillon Gabriel could be shown the exit soon.

“Gabriel was a third-round pick in 2025 and has the intangibles to be a decent long-term backup. However, he doesn’t have the physical tools to be a starter and isn’t a great fit for Todd Monken's offense,” Jackson wrote in his May 21 analysis.

The Browns hired Todd Monken as their new head coach over four months ago. He is tasked with improving the Browns’ offense, and another expert agrees that Gabriel might not fit in anymore.

Kristopher Knox of the Bleacher Report wrote that Gabriel’s accuracy and deep-ball issues were defining factors of his rookie season. Knox opined that the Browns could part ways with Gabriel very soon.

“The Browns benching Joe Flacco in early October before trading him to the Cincinnati Bengals, Gabriel was thrust into action sooner than many most likely expected,” he wrote in his May 23 report.

With two experts believing that Gabriel’s time with the Browns is nearing its end, the QB’s pro league future is uncertain. What do you think? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar