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Alarm Bells for Dillon Gabriel as Browns HC Todd Monken Shares Concerning Update

Originally posted on ClevelandBrownsCommunity
By Akanksha Biradar | Last updated Apr 1, 2026 12:59 PM ET

For the first time since mentioning the “open competition” for the 2026 starting quarterback position, head coach Todd Monken has given a major insight. And it puts Dillon Gabriel on high alert as competition brews in the Cleveland camp.

The evaluation process is simple. Whoever shows up and puts the most effort into this new offense will have the edge. Monken praised Sanders for showing up and revealed that he got to chat with Deshaun Watson. But one name was missing: Gabriel.

“It’s been great that (Shedeur’s) been in the building. It’s refreshing to see a player that recognizes where he’s at and where he wants to get to. I have not seen Dillon, yet. Deshaun was in early, so I got a chance to sit down with him,” Monken said on the 92.3 The Fan podcast.

Browns HC Todd Monken says that Shedeur Sanders has been in the building working out the last few months.

Dillon Gabriel, has not.

(@PSchrags) pic.twitter.com/urGVyA62GU
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) March 31, 2026

Gabriel’s absence does not send a good message. Sanders has been working with his long-time private quarterback coach, Darrell Colbert Jr. to improve himself. At the same time, Watson has earned franchise owner Jimmy Haslam’s “cautiously optimistic” attitude to return as QB1 in 2026.

For Gabriel, the momentum is yet to pick up. When the Browns traded Joe Flacco in Week 1, the 25-year-old replaced him. He appeared in 10 games and scored seven touchdowns for 937 yards against two interceptions.

But in November, he suffered concussions and gave way for Sanders to start. After that, Gabriel will have to win back Monken’s trust even though he said he has been in the best shape, weighing the least in several years.

Todd Monken Has to Revive One of the Worst NFL Offences

Monken took charge of the Browns at their lowest. In 2024, they went 3-14, followed by another humiliating season, 5-12 in 2025. The Browns’ offense was rated as the worst offensive unit in the NFL by the Pro Football Focus for the second year in a row.

So, Monken can no longer try a trial-and-error method. Talking about the off-season developments, Gabriel has not been seen at the Browns’ headquarters.

It’s surely a disadvantage in light of Sanders’ hands-on approach, giving Monken the reason to trust him. In case Monken makes it a Sanders vs Watson starting battle, Gabriel’s absence hints at him being a trade candidate.

This is the chance for Cleveland to fix things. They made a mistake by picking Gabriel too early in last year’s draft, and he has not lived up to that hype. Drafting him, the Browns would be able to free up space on the roster and bring in a more experienced quarterback.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, also known as the program changer, has picked up the buzz to sign up with Monken’s program. The Browns hosted him during a top-30 pre-draft visit.

So, Gabriel needs to buckle up, or Todd Monken will move past him. What are your thoughts on this?

This article first appeared on ClevelandBrownsCommunity and was syndicated with permission.

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