Cleveland's historic London start behind them, the Browns have fully committed to their youth movement at quarterback
When Dillon Gabriel made NFL history Sunday morning in London as the first quarterback to make his first start outside the United States, few knew it would be just the beginning of a transformative week for the Cleveland Browns. Five days later, the organization completed its youth movement by trading veteran Joe Flacco to division rival Cincinnati, leaving Gabriel and fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders as the franchise's present and future.
The 21-17 loss to Minnesota wasn't the storybook debut Gabriel hoped for, but his composed, turnover-free performance convinced the Browns they'd found their answer at quarterback. More importantly, it gave them the confidence to completely reshape their roster for a full evaluation of their rookie talent.
London Debut: Promising Despite the Loss
Gabriel completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions in his first NFL start, becoming the 41st different starting quarterback for the Browns since 1999. More significantly, it marked the first game all season Cleveland didn't turn the ball over, a stark contrast to Flacco's eight turnovers in four starts.
The rookie was particularly sharp in the first half, completing 13 of 21 passes while building the Browns' first halftime lead since Week 12 of the 2024 season. His two touchdown passes—one to tight end David Njoku and another to Harold Fannin Jr. for his first NFL score—showed the decisiveness and accuracy that made him a third-round pick.
"Got to get back to work," Gabriel said after the loss. There's a lot to improve on, but I think in moments like these, you find true competitors, you find people who want to be here...what I know about our guys is we continue to work hard, continue to grind.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski praised Gabriel's performance, noting "a lot of positives" in the rookie's first start. The lack of turnovers and composed decision-making under pressure validated the organization's belief that Gabriel's 63 college starts had prepared him for this moment.
The Conservative Approach and Second-Half Struggles
The Browns implemented a game plan designed to protect their rookie quarterback. Gabriel's average time to throw was 2.54 seconds, quicker than Flacco's 2.85-second average, and he averaged 5.5 air yards per attempt. The quick-passing attack kept Gabriel on schedule but limited explosive plays downfield.
Gabriel's accuracy waned in the second half, completing just 6 of 12 passes while being off target on 45% of his attempts. The Browns offense stalled when it mattered most, failing to pick up a first down on their first four possessions of the fourth quarter while holding a 17-14 lead.
The conservative approach made sense for a first start, but Gabriel was only 3 of 10 on passes that traveled at least 10 air yards. Developing the downfield passing game will be crucial as Gabriel gains experience.
The Flacco Trade: Full Commitment to Youth
Two days after Gabriel's debut, the Browns made their intentions clear. Cleveland traded Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick, completing the first trade between the AFC North rivals since Cleveland's return to the NFL in 1999.
The move was as much about roster philosophy as draft capital. The Browns are going with an all-rookie QB setup, with Gabriel and Sanders now comprising the entire active quarterback room. Deshaun Watson remains on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from a re-ruptured Achilles, but Watson playing in 2025 is considered unlikely.
For Flacco, the trade reunites him with an AFC North rival desperately seeking stability after Joe Burrow's turf toe injury sidelined him for months. With backup Jake Browning at quarterback, the Bengals had lost 48-10 to the Vikings, 28-3 to the Broncos, and 37-24 to the Lions, making any veteran upgrade appealing despite Flacco's struggles in Cleveland.
The trade also nets Cleveland its 10th pick in the 2026 draft, including two first-rounders. The Browns have two first-round picks for the 2026 draft and no clear franchise QB on the roster, with evaluating for the future at the most important position part of Cleveland's plans for this season.
Sanders Steps Up to QB2
With Flacco gone, Shedeur Sanders is now listed as the Browns' backup quarterback, a significant promotion for the fifth-round pick who entered the season as QB3. The Colorado product's elevation adds another storyline to Cleveland's quarterback situation.
The Browns will privately refer to Gabriel as a computer because of how quickly he absorbs and processes information. He gets the ball out fast, he plays fast and because he started 65 games in college, he's seen so much. But Sanders' presence ensures competition and provides insurance if Gabriel struggles or gets injured.
The two-rookie system is unconventional but fits Cleveland's rebuilding timeline. With the season effectively a lost cause at 1-4, the Browns can afford to give extensive playing time to both quarterbacks to determine their long-term plans.
The College Resume That Made This Possible
Gabriel's rapid ascension from backup to franchise quarterback would be impossible without his unprecedented college experience. Over six seasons at UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon, he compiled statistics that dwarf most NFL veterans' résumés:
Dillon Gabriel's College Career
- Total Starts: 63 (FBS record for QBs)
- Passing Yards: 18,722 (2nd all-time)
- Passing TDs: 155 (tied for 1st all-time)
- Total TDs: 189 (FBS record)
- 2024 Heisman Finish: 3rd place
Those 63 starts represent more game experience than many NFL veterans accumulate in their careers. Gabriel operated in three different offensive systems, adapted to new coaching staffs, and performed at the highest level of college football. His final season at Oregon saw him complete 72.9% of his passes for 3,857 yards and 30 touchdowns while leading the Ducks to the Big Ten Championship.
"With Dillon, he's unique and he's very mature but also his college career was like no other in terms of experience," Stefanski said. "He can lean on that experience in this situation."
Next Challenge: Pittsburgh
Gabriel faces his second start Sunday at Acrisure Stadium against the 3-1 Pittsburgh Steelers, who sit atop the AFC North after their bye week. The Browns haven't won in Pittsburgh since 2003, when Tim Couch led them to victory, making the road environment one of the NFL's toughest for visiting quarterbacks.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin praised Gabriel ahead of the matchup, showing respect for the rookie quarterback despite the divisional rivalry. That acknowledgment from one of the league's most respected coaches suggests Gabriel's London performance impressed more than just the Browns organization.
The quick turnaround from London to Pittsburgh—with a cross-Atlantic flight and time zone adjustment—adds another layer of difficulty to Gabriel's early career. After a physically and emotionally draining trip to London, the Browns immediately head to Pittsburgh to face a rested Steelers squad.
Evaluation Mode Activated
Make no mistake: the remainder of Cleveland's season is an extended audition. If Gabriel or Sanders emerges in a real way this year, that makes next year easier for the Browns' draft planning. Every start, every decision, every moment under pressure will be scrutinized as the organization determines whether to use its premium 2026 draft capital on a quarterback or address other roster needs.
The Flacco trade removes any ambiguity about the Browns' intentions. By shipping their veteran backup to a division rival for minimal draft capital, Cleveland signaled it's fully committed to discovering what it has in Gabriel and Sanders. There's no safety net, no experienced voice to bail them out if things go wrong.
What Success Looks Like Now
The metrics for success have shifted. Cleveland isn't asking Gabriel to be Patrick Mahomes or even the comeback version of Flacco from 2023. They're asking him to show growth, protect the football, and demonstrate he can be the long-term answer at the position that's plagued them for 25 years.
The Browns have failed to eclipse 17 points for the 10th straight game dating to last season, so simply fielding a functional offense would represent progress. If Gabriel can build on his turnover-free debut, show improved accuracy in the second half of games, and develop chemistry with Cleveland's young receivers, it's a successful evaluation period regardless of wins and losses.
His college experience suggests he's capable. Gabriel will add some mobility that Flacco doesn't have, and the Browns believe he'll take care of the ball well enough to improve the team's -6 turnover differential through four weeks.
The Bigger Picture: Building for 2026
The Browns' 2025 season is effectively over at 1-4, but their future timeline is just beginning. With two first-round picks in 2026, a talented young running back in Quinshon Judkins, and a defense anchored by Myles Garrett, Cleveland has pieces in place. The quarterback position was the final, most important question mark.
Gabriel's promotion and Flacco's departure signal the Browns believe they might have their answer. Or at the very least, they're committed to finding out definitively over the next 12 games. If Gabriel proves he can operate the offense efficiently and avoid catastrophic mistakes, Cleveland can use those premium picks on pass rushers, offensive linemen, or receivers rather than another quarterback.
If he struggles, they'll know by January whether to target a quarterback prospect or explore veteran options in free agency. Either way, the evaluation period that began in London will provide clarity.
A New Era Begins
From third-string to starter in 35 days. From clipboard holder to franchise quarterback in five weeks. From one of 41 Cleveland starters since 1999 to potentially the one who finally brings stability.
Dillon Gabriel's journey accelerated beyond anyone's expectations, including his own. Now, with Flacco traded to Cincinnati and Sanders standing behind him as the only other quarterback on the roster, Gabriel's crash course in NFL quarterbacking enters its next phase.
The London debut is complete. The veteran safety net is gone. The Steelers await this Sunday.
"If you wait for the perfect time, you're gonna wait a whole lifetime," Gabriel said before his first start.
Ready or not, the Browns have fully committed to finding out if the former Oregon star is their long-term answer. The evaluation period is underway, and everything that happens between now and January will shape Cleveland's quarterback future for years to come.
Updated October 9, 2025
Sources:
- Browns official website
- ESPN, CBS Sports, NFL.com
- Sports Illustrated
- Yahoo Sports