Dillon Gabriel Shines Despite Pick-Six in Browns Preseason Win
Hey everyone, let’s talk about the Cleveland Browns’ preseason matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles and how rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel performed in his first action of the 2025 preseason. With Shedeur Sanders sidelined due to an oblique injury, Gabriel was handed the reins, and there was definitely some pressure on him to show what he could do. Joe Flacco was being rested, and Kenny Pickett is still being eased back from a hamstring injury, so this was a real opportunity for Gabriel to make an impression.
Gabriel didn’t waste much time. In just a half of work, he completed 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards. His first quarter was especially impressive — eight of nine passes connected, showing the accuracy, quick processing, and understanding of the Browns’ offense that made him a third-round draft pick. He looked confident, and in a sideline interview, he even shared, “There’s entertainers and competitors… my job is to compete.” That competitive fire was definitely on display.
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Of course, it wasn’t a perfect outing. Early in the second quarter, Gabriel made a rookie mistake. A pass thrown between two receivers was picked off by Eagles rookie Andrew Mukuba and returned 75 yards for a touchdown. It was a miscue he’ll likely learn from, but it didn’t erase the solid performance he put together before and after that play. He led a touchdown drive and two field goal drives, and his decision-making on third downs, particularly passes to Jamari Thrash, was sharp.
Gabriel’s first drive did have a rocky start when he was sacked by Eagles’ first-round pick Jihaad Campbell on his first dropback. But he quickly settled in, completing four straight passes and setting up a rushing touchdown by Ahmani Marshall. Another highlight came on third down, when a precise pass to Thrash kept the drive alive. Even after the interception, Gabriel maintained poise, converting additional third downs and running the offense efficiently.
Physically, Gabriel doesn’t have the ideal size for a quarterback, but his vision and ability to deliver accurate passes compensated for that. While Shedeur Sanders dazzled last week with two touchdown passes and a clean debut, Gabriel’s performance showed why the Browns were confident drafting him two rounds ahead. The rookie quarterback battle in Cleveland is definitely heating up, and Saturday’s game suggests that Gabriel deserves to remain high on the depth chart.
Overall, despite the pick-six, Gabriel showed promise, composure, and competitive spirit in his preseason debut. The Browns emerged with a 22-13 victory, and Gabriel’s performance provided a glimpse of why he’s a quarterback to watch as the regular season approaches. It was a strong first step, and the noise around the Browns’ quarterback competition will certainly continue, but Gabriel made a compelling case for himself on Saturday.
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