Cleveland Browns analyst calls for rookie QBs to get playing time

“Let’s see what he can do,” Drennan exclaimed when talking about rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. “Let’s develop him and see if he’s got what it takes.”

Cleveland has started the season 0-2, and with 40-year-old Joe Flacco starting at quarterback, Dreenan's comments bring up a good point: how early is too early for the rookies to get their time?

The initial starting time for a rookie quarterback varies depending on their draft position, age, team success and the presence of other quarterbacks on the roster. For Cleveland, neither of its rookie QBs were drafted in the first two rounds, resulting in not as much pressure on the organization to start them immediately.

Dillon Gabriel is 24 years old, turning 25 in late December. With his age, there may be more pressure to start him, as he is a more experienced quarterback with over 60 games played in his college career. Shedeur Sanders is 23 years old, also with 50 games of experience in college football.

The next point is particularly interesting: team success.

“This season is lost, it’s gone, it’s over as far as the playoffs,” Drennan said.

It’s hard to argue his point here, as when you start 0-2 in the NFL, it is basically a death sentence. Since 2007, 148 teams have started 0-2, while only 17 have made the playoffs. That’s a slight 11% chance for the Browns, who do not have any favorable matchups upcoming as they gear up to play two playoff teams from the past season, Green Bay this Sunday, and travel to Detroit next Sunday. 

Drennan also mentioned that he wouldn’t mind Shedeur Sanders getting his shot too soon, so the question remains: how early is too early? The Browns will need to get their answer soon on what they have at quarterback, as they have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.