Dillon Gabriel dealt harsh reality after awkward jersey incident and Browns coach’s blunt appraisal
It has been a tough week for Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Already on the outside looking in amid the Browns’ quarterback battle between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson, things only got worse for Gabriel at OTAs.
The Brown’s newest edition to their roster, Jared Verse, was pictured wearing the number eight jersey in his first practice this week, which also happens to be Gabriel’s number.
The Browns acquired Verse and multiple draft picks in a stunning trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams.
Teams do have the freedom to double up on jersey numbers during the 90-man portion of the calendar.
However, it does make it more awkward, and telling, that Gabriel has now shared a number.
Monken’s savage comment gives worrying outlook for Gabriel
To make matters worse, Gabriel was handed another worrying outlook by new head coach Todd Monken.
Monken has repeatedly said that it’s an open competition between all four quarterbacks — including rookie Taylen Green — on the Browns’ roster.
Upon being asked about his hope to have the situation settled by the start of training camp, his answer was extremely telling.
Chiefly, he doesn’t see Gabriel as a starting-caliber QB.
“I’m fired up by the quarterbacks, I just tell you, we got two starting-level quarterbacks. We really do.” Monken said.
Gabriel’s standing also took another hit this week after The Athletic’s Zac Jackson offered a blunt assessment of what he saw during OTAs.
“His first throw in seven-on-seven is the single worst throw I’ve ever seen at a Browns OTAs,” Jackson said on The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show.
“It had to have slipped out of his hands. He was trying to hit a guy in the back of the end zone and he missed by 25 yards.
“That is not an exaggeration. People were openly laughing. People being me.”
Gabriel underwhelmed during his rookie season after he was pushed into action earlier than expected following Joe Flacco’s trade to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Browns went 1-5 with Gabriel as a starter, as he threw for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
His brief run as QB1 ended after he suffered a concussion and fellow rookie Shedeur took advantage.
Sanders guided Cleveland to four wins, throwing for 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns, earning himself Pro Bowl honors.
The Browns will certainly not rush their QB decision, but with Sanders and the returning Watson clearly a head in the pecking order, it’s fair to assume that Gabriel’s Browns future is all but done.
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