Through four weeks of the 2025 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns are sitting at a dismal 1-3, and the Dawg Pound is getting restless. The Joe Flacco experiment, which felt a bit like bringing a flip phone to an iPhone launch, has been about as successful as you’d expect. It is time for a change, and it seems like Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has finally heard the city’s collective groan.
According to the latest buzz, the Browns are handing the keys to rookie Quarterback Dillon Gabriel. That’s right, the former Oregon Duck is reportedly getting his first NFL start in Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings… in London, no less. Nothing like tossing a rookie into the fire on international television, right?
Why Are the Browns Making a Change?
Let’s be honest, Flacco has been a turnover machine. The veteran has managed to throw for 815 yards, but he paired that with a cringe-worthy two touchdowns and six interceptions. His 58.1% completion rate isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire, either. The offense has struggled to break the 20-point barrier, and at this rate, the only thing they’re competing for is a top draft pick.
It was clear something had to give. You can’t keep trotting out a quarterback who is giving the ball away more than a department store Santa gives out candy canes. Stefanski, likely feeling the heat, seems ready to see what the young blood can do.
What Does Dillon Gabriel Bring To the Table?
So, who is this kid? Gabriel, a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, was a standout at Oregon. While some scouts worried about his size, he’s shown flashes of real potential. In limited action against the Ravens in Week 2, he went 3-for-3 for 19 yards and a touchdown. It is a small sample size, sure, but it was efficient and, most importantly, didn’t result in the other team getting the ball.
He also outplayed the other rookie quarterback on the roster, Shedeur Sanders, during the preseason. While the hype around Sanders was deafening, it was Gabriel who looked more composed and ready for the pro level. Starting Gabriel is not just a desperation heave; it is a calculated move to inject some life and excitement into a flatlining offense. The Browns need to know what they have in these young quarterbacks, and the only way to find out is to let them play.
For Gabriel, this is a massive opportunity to prove he belongs. And for the Browns, it’s a chance to salvage a season that’s quickly circling the drain. Will it work? Who knows. But at this point, it’s a risk worth taking. It is time to see if this duck can swim in the choppy waters of the NFL.
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