The Cleveland Browns are currently are now 1-3 on the season and have already decided to make a big move. Long-time NFL veteran Joe Flacco was named the starter at the beginning of the season, but it looks like the Browns want to see what they have in young quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who will make his first official start this week against the Vikings in London, as reported on by NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Gabriel, who started his college career at UCF, was drafted out of Oregon in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Browns. He is making his first start ahead of fellow rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
It has seemed to be a battle for the backup position coming into the season when Flacco was named the starter between Gabriel and Sanders and the former Knight won. Before Kenny Pickett was traded, Sanders was listed as the fourth-string quarterback, while Gabriel was listed as the third string.
Change in Cleveland: Browns are benching veteran QB Joe Flacco in favor of rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, per sources. The Browns were informed of the change this morning.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 1, 2025
Gabriel’s first NFL start comes Sunday in London vs. the Vikings. pic.twitter.com/lUV1W5RQob
Players in the facility were told about the quarterback change on Wednesday morning, and it was later announced to the media. The interesting part of it all is that there has been no specification as to who will back up Gabriel.
In the Browns' most recent game against the Detroit Lions, Gabriel came in for the final drive just like he did against the Browns' loss to the Ravens in Week 2. Flacco had a really rough start to the season with a league-high eight turnovers and a Total QBR of 27.0, which is only higher than Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward.
The Browns have the second-lowest scoring offense in the league through four weeks, so the change at quarterback is most likely in hopes that it sparks something on the field. Not only will Gabriel make his first start on the road against the Vikings, but really on the road all the way in London.
This will be a tough game as the Vikings' defense has gotten stronger as the season has gone on. Gabriel will do his best to get anything going offensively for the Browns and hopes to get his first win as the official starter.