Browns’ rookie QB on the verge of starting, analyst suggests ‘progression has happened faster…’

Browns have a year to trial their QBs before crucial 2026 decision

Context is crucial here for the Browns, who don’t currently have a franchise quarterback.

Deshaun Watson is likely to miss the entire 2025 season after re-rupturing his Achilles, and even if he eventually returns in 2026, there’s still the issue of his performances on the field.

The Browns will use the 2025 season to get an understanding of their young signal callers’ potential, before making a big decision next offseason.

After trading out of the number two pick in the 2025 draft, the Browns now have two first-round picks in 2026: their own and that of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who came up to get Travis Hunter in a blockbuster move.

With plenty of ammunition, 2026 could be the year that Cleveland makes a huge move for a franchise QB at the top of the draft. However, if they’re going to do that, they need to be sure they don’t already have the franchise guy in the building.

This week, the Browns traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders, who were in the market for an experienced QB following the injury to Aidan O’Connell.

Cleveland got a fifth-round pick for Pickett, which matched the price they paid to acquire him earlier this year from the Philadelphia Eagles.

While Joe Flacco has been named the starter to begin the season, the Pickett trade signaled the Browns’ confidence in their rookies, which primarily points to third-round pick Dillon Gabriel.

James Palmer of the Athletic explained it this week, saying:

“These rookies now are one step closer to seeing NFL action, and it shows us that the progress that quarterback Dillon Gabriel has made has been enough for the coaching staff to believe that he is capable of hitting the field in Week 1 should something happen to Flacco.”

He continued: “My understanding is that they’ve always thought Gabriel was coming along during camp, and was going to be able to play meaningful snaps at some point this season, but apparently his progression has happened faster than they had assumed.”

Gabriel played extremely well in the two drives he led against the LA Rams during the Browns’ final preseason game, including a perfectly executed two-minute drill resulting in a touchdown at the end of the first half.

Shedeur Sanders looked as though he still has some work to do, but Gabriel was managing the offense and the clock extremely well, and his years of experience at the college level are showing on the field in the NFL.

Sanders played poorly against the Rams, so much so that Stefanski opted to pull him out of the game in favor of Tyler Huntley for the two-minute drill that ended the game.

Browns QBs on trial this season, both should see playing time

Both Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel should see the field this year, so that Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns organization can gather enough data to make that all-important decision at the end of the year.

If Dillon Gabriel starts seven games, plays well in those games, and helps the Browns win a handful of them, they’ll have to decide whether they’re going to go all in with him as the franchise guy. They’d then consider using those high draft picks to build around him, rather than replacing him.

Fans are expecting to see Joe Flacco start a few games before Gabriel takes over, and it might not be long.

Cleveland doesn’t have their bye week until Week 9, which is arguably too late to wait before putting the rookie on the field.