Dillon Gabriel is firmly on the outside looking in on the Cleveland Browns quarterback competition.
The Browns got the first look at their quarterbacks on the field during veteran minicamp on Tuesday. Gabriel, Deshaun Watson and Sanders were all in attendance. The Browns have called it an open competition for the starting quarterback spot. However, the reps on the first day tell a different story.
Sanders and Watson both worked with the first team offense. Gabriel was relegated to working almost exclusively with the backups during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 sessions.
“It was set up in a way for us to get a look at all of them,” Browns coach Todd Monken said. “The plan was to have Shedeur have a few more reps, but to let Deshaun and Shedeur both have reps with the ones.”
ESPN Cleveland’s QB tracker showed that Gabriel threw just six passes in the drills, two of which were intercepted.
Dillon Gabriel Fighting to Remain With Browns
Gabriel may learn his fate soon. The Browns are heading into the draft armed with nine draft picks — including two in the first round. If Cleveland selects a quarterback — even in the later rounds — it puts Gabriel firmly on the trade block, given his standing.
Gabriel understands the noise but is trying to stay focused on the task at hand.
“I’m just running my own race and developing each day and getting better,” Gabriel said. “That’s all you can do. And that’s what I’m focused on. … I think I’m just controlling what I can.”
He reiterated that stance when asked about his lack of first-team action.
“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 at a high level.”
Alabama passer Ty Simpson has been frequently linked to the Browns. However, he’s widely viewed as the second-best quarterback available and Cleveland doesn’t appear set to take him with either of their first-round picks.
Other options later in the draft include Drew Allar (Penn State), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), and Cade Klubnik (Clemson).
Browns QB Dillon Gabriel Had Rough Rookie Season
Gabriel entered his rookie season as the Browns’ third-round pick out of Oregon. He took over for Joe Flacco in Week 5 and went 1-5 as a starter. He was replaced as the starter in Week 11 after suffering a concussion, opening the door for Shedeur Sanders, and never reclaimed the job.
Gabriel had not spoken publicly since being benched. His most recent on-field moment was getting sacked while Browns fans booed him in brief relief of Sanders.
“It’s just continuing to get better and knowing that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. I think I’m taking it one day at a time,” Gabriel said of what he learned from his first NFL season. “I think being a pro is just showing up every single day and doing your job and doing it at a high level. And I look forward to doing that.”
The question is now if Gabriel can turn that mindset into meaningful reps and ultimately prove he belongs in the Browns’ long-term plans.
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