Dillon Gabriel Gets Telling News About His Browns Future

The Cleveland Browns face a roster decision on quarterback Dillon Gabriel within the next week as his practice window from injured reserve nears its end, and one team insider offered a blunt assessment of his long-term prospects with the franchise.

Gabriel, a second-year player selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, has been working back from a back injury that placed him on injured reserve as training camp concluded. The 21-day window to activate him opened earlier this month, leaving the Browns roughly eight days to decide whether to add him to the 53-man roster, keep him on injured reserve for the season or explore other options.

Zac Jackson of The Athletic, speaking on 92.3 The Fan, said the Browns would be open to moving him if the right opportunity arose.

“Yes, the Browns would trade Dillon Gabriel. No, his future is probably not here,” Jackson said.

He noted the practical constraints of the roster.

“He’s got eight days from now until he has to be, a move has to be made. So that is interesting,” Jackson said, pointing to the team’s recent handling of other injured players who were not placed on injured reserve.

The Browns currently list Deshaun Watson as the starter, Shedeur Sanders as the backup and rookie Taylen Green as the third option. Gabriel’s return would push the team to four quarterbacks on the active roster, a setup most NFL clubs avoid because of the limited number of spots available.

Cleveland entered the week at 4-2 and in first place in the AFC North after a 13-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Watson has stabilized the position after returning from Achilles injuries, reducing the immediate need for additional quarterback depth behind him.

Gabriel’s college production remains notable. He tied the FBS record with 155 touchdown passes over six seasons at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. In his final year with the Ducks, he completed 72.9 percent of his passes for 3,857 yards and 30 touchdowns while finishing third in Heisman Trophy voting.

His 2025 rookie season was more limited. Gabriel appeared in 10 games and made six starts, completing 59.5 percent of his passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He posted a 1-5 record as a starter.

In the 2026 preseason finale against the New England Patriots, he completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns before the back injury occurred. That performance highlighted the arm talent that led the Browns to draft him 94th overall.

Team sources have indicated a preference for keeping all four quarterbacks if possible, according to reporting from Cleveland.com. Mary Kay Cabot has noted that the organization does not currently intend to trade Gabriel or Sanders, though circumstances can shift before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.

Jackson tempered expectations on any deal.

“However, what someone would get for him is not what someone would want to give up,” he said, suggesting the return would likely be modest given Gabriel’s position on the depth chart.

The Browns have used the injured-reserve designation strategically this season amid other injuries along the defensive line and elsewhere. Activating Gabriel would require clearing a roster spot, either through another injury placement or a corresponding move.

Gabriel signed a four-year, $6.23 million contract after the 2025 draft. At 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, he remains a developmental option whose NFL ceiling has been viewed primarily as a backup.

The upcoming decision arrives with the Browns in contention in the division, giving the organization less urgency to force a change at the position. Still, the expiring practice window removes the flexibility the team has enjoyed since late August.

Jackson’s comments reflect the view that Gabriel’s path to meaningful playing time in Cleveland is limited with Watson established and younger options behind him. Whether that leads to a trade, a late-season activation or continued time on injured reserve will become clear in the days ahead.