Dillon Gabriel Shows True Character With Response To Shedeur Sanders Question

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated May 10, 2025 6:05 PM ET

Even though Dillon Gabriel was the fifth quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, he isn't even the most popular rookie quarterback on his own team these days.

That honor goes to Shedeur Sanders, the former Colorado quarterback who infamously waited until the fifth round to hear his name called.

But it's been Gabriel getting the reps ahead of Sanders in the early part of the Browns' ongoing rookie minicamp. That hasn't necessarily sat well with fans and reporters have been trying to poke and prod the team to figure out what Sanders' chances are of making the team.

That hasn't been a problem for Gabriel though, who had a very classy response to a question about Shedeur. He said he "loves" have Sanders there as someone that he can learn from. Gabriel also highlighted the presence of the other three veteran quarterbacks on the team, Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco and Deshaun Watson.

"I love it," Gabriel said. "I love it because of who it is. I think just for us both, you can learn from one another, but also it's not just us two in the room. At least for right now it is. But going into the year, Kenny, Joe and even Deshaun, just a bunch of guys who played a bunch of ball that we can all learn from one another."

Fantastic response from Dillon Gabriel when asked about the Shedeur Sanders hype overshadowing things #Browns pic.twitter.com/Jrpmwpb2Af
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) May 10, 2025

That's a very strong answer from Gabriel and one that certainly does a great job of avoiding anything unsavory while giving props to his teammates.

NFL scouts were far more skeptical of Gabriel during the pre-draft process than of Sanders. Despite being a dominant force under center for the likes of UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon, he was largely viewed as a system quarterback with underwhelming attributes.

But there were certainly flashes of promise throughout his career. The Browns were happy to take him in the third-round of the NFL Draft with their own QB situation in flux.

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oregon Ducks scrambles during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Judging by the early things that have been seen and said at minicamp, it looks like the Browns may have a real leader on their hands.

Whether he can turn that leadership into solid play at the NFL level remains to be seen.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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