Dillon Gabriel Receives Bad News Amid Shedeur Sanders Quarterback Battle

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zachary Rainey | Last updated May 30, 2025 6:02 PM ET

The Oregon Ducks had one of the best seasons in their program's history this past year. They successfully navigated the regular season and finished with an undefeated record in their inaugural Big Ten season.

In the Big Ten Championship, they defeated Penn State to earn the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff. They were led by transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

Gabriel had big shoes to fill after Bo Nix nearly willed the Ducks into the playoff the season prior.

Gabriel, a transfer from Oklahoma and previously UCF, stepped in and didn't miss a beat. With the Ducks, he tied Case Keenum for the most passing touchdowns in FBS history.

Dillon Gabriel receives bad news amid Shedeur Sanders battle

While the Ducks didn't win the National Championship, they saw 10 players selected into the 2025 NFL Draft, a program record.

Of those 10, one was Gabriel, who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round before selecting Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round.

The Browns currently have five quarterbacks on the roster. However, Deshaun Watson will likely miss the season with an injury.

Gabriel is battling Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco and Sanders for a spot on Cleveland's roster. Through OTAs thus far, Gabriel reportedly hasn't impressed.

The Athletic's Zac Jackson appeared on the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show to discuss what he's seen from the quarterbacks.

"I don't see the other guy impressing at all, and I'm not trying to be personal with him," he said. "He does not look like an NFL quarterback, and 31 other draft rooms didn't think he was a second-day pick.

After hearing those comments, Gabriel could likely be the odd man out. Unless he starts to step up and dazzle the coaching staff the same way he dazzled scouts at Oregon, Gabriel could be looking for a new home sooner rather than later.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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