The Cleveland Browns’ toss-up for the QB1 role is between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. The franchise is determined to pick a winning quarterback, and a former NFL scout believes they are making a mistake regarding Dillon Gabriel.

“People keep disrespecting Dillon Gabriel (59.5%) without even realizing he was more accurate than Caleb Williams (58.1%) and Shedeur Sanders (56.6%) last season,” Daniel Kelly opined. 

Browns Nation shared his stance in an X post on June 15, who is building his case for Gabriel, 25, based on the accuracy of his throws. Drafted as the 94th overall pick in 2025, the Oregon alumnus started six games. 

His accuracy was reflected in the seven touchdowns and just two interceptions he threw last season. Gabriel gained just 937 passing yards and has a QBR of 31.4 percent. Compared to him, Sander, Gabriel’s 2025 Browns rookie counterpart, threw 10 interceptions and seven touchdowns. 

However, he did gain more passing yards (1,400) than Gabriel. Caleb Williams of the preceding draft class went to the Chicago Bears. The 2024 first overall pick threw 27 TDs and seven INTs for 3,942 passing yards. Yet, he was not as accurate as Gabriel, as Kelly pointed out.

Despite the stats Kelly presented, Browns fans took offense to his proposition. 

Cleveland Browns Fans Riled Up At Daniel Kelly For His Take 

Browns Nation’s X post that shared Daniel Kelly’s opinion on Dillon Gabriel caught a lot of heat from fans. They commented against him and rallied behind Shedeur Sanders.

“Not difficult to maintain a high accuracy rating when all you throw are check downs and short routes. The dude refuses to throw a deep ball!” one replied, pointing out the nature of Gabriel’s play.

“I see why he’s a former scout… He was fired for cause!” one wrote. 

Kelly was fired from the New York Jets in 2002 after a strained stint during which he battled cancer.

“As someone who watched him, he is being overlooked the perfect amount. He isn’t a NFL QB,” one wrote dismissing Gabriel altogether.

“I can’t believe you’re quoting this guy…” a comment read, which called out Browns Nation.

One fan supported Sanders by citing his Week 16 performance against the Buffalo Bills. The 24-year-old left the field briefly to tend to his injured finger. Before he returned, fans rained down Gabriel in boos, who was replacing him. 

“Remember the play where Sanders finger got hurt go watch the pass he threw right after that,” they said. 

Sanders had thrown one TD and two INTs that day.

Fans have made their stance known, but what are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments. 

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Akanksha Biradar