<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-kevin-stefanski-officially-names-dillon-gabriel-backup-to-joe-flacco');   ga('set', 'title', 'Browns’ Kevin Stefanski officially names Dillon Gabriel backup to Joe Flacco');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kevin-Stefanski-officially-names-Dillon-Gabriel-backup-to-Joe-Flacco.jpg"><figcaption>Credit: Ken Blaze</figcaption></figure><h1>Browns’ Kevin Stefanski officially names Dillon Gabriel backup to Joe Flacco</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-26T14:00:42-07:00">August 26th, 2:00pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-26T14:01:17-07:00">August 26th, 2:01pm</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/chris.spiering.3" rel="facebook">Chris Spiering</a>Chris Spiering graduated from the University of San Diego with a Communication Studies Degree. He spent his final year as the Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris manages the betting team at ClutchPoints and contributes about the NFL, MLB, and NBA, but he follows most sports, including NCAA Basketball. Chris also covers San Diego State men's basketball for East Village Times.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Browns</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-bold-predictions-2025-nfl-season">Cleveland Browns</a> have been one of the most talked-about teams in the NFL since they drafted Shedeur Sanders in the 5th round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite the popularity, Sanders will not be seeing much action this season unless some unfortunate injuries occur to the quarterbacks ahead of him.</p><p>On Tuesday, ahead of the start of the regular season, the Browns have made their QB decisions. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-joe-flacco-wins-cleveland-4-way-qb-competition">Joe Flacco will be the starting QB</a> for Week 1 and potentially longer. Now, head coach Kevin Stefanski has said that Dillon Gabriel will be the backup to Flacco for the foreseeable future. That leaves Sanders <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1960438069318049998" rel="noopener">as the third string and emergency QB</a>, and it seems as if they will keep all three for this season.</p><p>The battle between Gabriel and Sanders has been one of the more talked-about battles this camp. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-dillon-gabriel-unbothered-take-browns-qb-depth-chart-position">Gabriel has been unbothered</a> by his place in the depth chart all camp, and now being the backup shouldn’t be a surprise to him.</p><p>This preseason, Gabriel has thrown for 272 yards and one touchdown. He has also thrown an interception. It was a small sample size, but his outing against the Los Angeles Rams proved that he is capable of playing in the NFL. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown with the Browns running basic play calls. When Gabriel came in for Flacco against the Rams, it was almost a given then that he would be named the backup.</p><p>Sanders has played well this preseason, also. However, he has not been given as many reps. Sanders threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns this preseason. Although against the Rams, he threw for just 14 yards and had a lot of trouble avoiding sacks. As of now, the Browns have made the right decision with their signal callers.</p><p>The battle between Gabriel and Sanders is far from over.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Browns’ Kevin Stefanski officially names Dillon Gabriel backup to Joe Flacco

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-dillon-gabriel-earns-major-endorsement-dan-orlovsky');   ga('set', 'title', 'Browns QB Dillon Gabriel earns major endorsement from Dan Orlovsky');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Dillon-Gabriel-of-the-Cleveland-Browns.jpg"><figcaption>Ken Blaze-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Browns QB Dillon Gabriel earns major endorsement from Dan Orlovsky</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-25T16:14:21-07:00">August 25th, 4:14pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-25T16:14:21-07:00">August 25th, 4:14pm</time><address><a>Benedetto Vitale</a>Benedetto Vitale is an avid sports writer who is an expert at covering the NFL, college football, NBA, and UFC. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 with a film degree but has since dedicated his career to sports writing.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Browns</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-rumors-chad-ochocinco-johnson-blasts-kevin-stefanskis-shedeur-sanders-treatment">Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation</a> has been one of the most talked-about situations in the NFL throughout the offseason. Although Joe Flacco was named the starter, all eyes are still on rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. On Monday, former NFL quarterback turned analyst Dan Orlovsky shared a head-turning take about Gabriel.</p><p>Orlovsky, who covers the NFL for ESPN, claims that <a href="https://x.com/danorlovsky7/status/1960108855452422266" rel="noopener">he absolutely loves</a> what he sees from the former Oregon Ducks quarterback. He believes Gabriel has played well enough in training camp and the preseason to be named the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart.</p><p>“Dillon Gabriel’s tape is very impressive. Should clearly be the #2 QB for the Browns.”</p><p>Head coach Kevin Stefanski has not officially named which quarterback will be the immediate backup to Flacco. It very well could be Dillon Gabriel. However, both Shedeur Sanders and Kenny Pickett are also options. With the Week 1 opener against the Cincinnati Bengals around the corner, the Browns will likely name the official pecking order of the quarterback room soon.</p><p>The coaching staff is seemingly favoring experience over youth to begin the 2025-26 campaign. Joe Flacco is entering his 18th year of his career. His playing time has been a bit sporadic for the last seven years, as the 40-year-old quarterback has stepped in for several teams, like the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Browns, and Indianapolis Colts.</p><p>Meanwhile, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-dan-orlovsky-breaks-down-real-gap-shedeur-sanders-dillon-gabriel">Dillon Gabriel joins the franchise</a> as a third-round pick. He proved to be a decent quarterback during his one-year stint at Oregon after recording 3,857 passing yards and 30 touchdowns while owning a 72.9% completion percentage. He is actually rather experienced, entering the NFL as a rookie, as Gabriel played six seasons at the collegiate level.</p><p>Look for the Browns to finalize the 53-man roster by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. EST deadline and announce the official depth chart not long after. Although the quarterback room is becoming clearer with the regular season about to begin, all eyes will likely remain on Cleveland due to the rookies on the team.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Browns QB Dillon Gabriel earns major endorsement from Dan Orlovsky

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-dan-orlovsky-breaks-down-real-gap-shedeur-sanders-dillon-gabriel');   ga('set', 'title', 'Dan Orlovsky breaks down real gap between Browns’ Shedeur Sanders vs. Dillon Gabriel');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Browns-quarterback-Shedeur-Sanders-Browns-Dillon-Gabriel.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Dan Orlovsky breaks down real gap between Browns’ Shedeur Sanders vs. Dillon Gabriel</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-25T08:00:37-07:00">August 25th, 8:00am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-25T08:00:37-07:00">August 25th, 8:00am</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Browns</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>While Cleveland Browns’ rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders remain Joe Flacco’s backup QBs after cuts were made ahead of the 2025 NFL season, is there a significant gap between the two rookies? Browns head coach <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-kevin-stefanski-maintains-commitment-developing-shedeur-sanders">Kevin Stefanski is committed to developing Sanders</a>. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky explained how Gabriel has a legitimate lead ahead of Shedeur’s development.</p><p>Orlovsky <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7z2BWjKiE&amp;t=289s" rel="noopener">explained why</a> he thinks the gap between Sanders and Gabriel isn’t relatively close, per ESPN’s Get Up.</p><p>“If we’re just taking the preseason games and the tape that we have, the body of work between Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders on tape isn’t close,” Orlovsky said. “Dillon Gabriel plays at NFL speed and right now with the body of work that we have seen, Shedeur isn’t there.”</p><p>Still, it doesn’t mean Sanders’ young NFL career is doomed. Gabriel has just shown he’s the more polished quarterback out of the gate.</p><p>“Some of those things that was, and others were concerned about on the college tape showed itself again. This is not the end of the world though,” Orlovsky added. “This is part of his development in becoming a potential starting quarterback.”</p><p>Browns veteran quarterback Joe Flacco was named QB1 ahead of Cleveland’s 19-17 win in their preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday.</p><h2><b>Joe Flacco sends sincere message to Browns’ Shedeur Sanders</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Browns-rookie-quarterback-Shedeur-Sanders_f208be.jpg"><figcaption>Ken Blaze-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>After a frustrating second-half stint for Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders, veteran Joe Flacco addressed the young QB. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-joe-flacco-sends-sincere-message-shedeur-sanders-tough-preseason-finale">Flacco shared his rookie preseason experience on Saturday</a>, reminding everyone that the beginning rarely goes as planned for rookie QBs.</p><p>Flacco <a href="https://twitter.com/camijustice/status/1959377874496192923" rel="noopener">recalled getting his name called</a> in coach John Harbaugh’s first preseason game with the Ravens, per Browns reporter</p><p>“I can remember just like yesterday — that’s part of being a rookie. You’re going to get thrown into situations that maybe you don’t think are ideal,” Flacco said. “I got thrown into a game against New England with two minutes left. I fumbled on the one-yard line. They scored two plays later, and that was John Harbaugh’s first preseason game. He was not happy. I wasn’t happy either. It’s part of the game.</p><p>“It’s part of what makes a football player is learning how to deal from those situations and learn from them. Yeah, we’ve all been there. It’s part of the game,” Flacco concluded.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Browns</a> QB Joe Flacco on Shedeur Sanders having a tough outing today, shared a similar experience he had as a rookie that made him better: <a href="https://t.co/IrqusozDra">pic.twitter.com/IrqusozDra</a></p><p>— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) <a href="https://twitter.com/camijustice/status/1959377874496192923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>It’s a learning experience that Flacco is confident will make Sanders a better quarterback in the long run.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Dan Orlovsky breaks down real gap between Browns’ Shedeur Sanders vs. Dillon Gabriel

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-shedeur-sanders-reacts-to-dillon-gabriels-entertainers-competitors-comment');   ga('set', 'title', 'Browns’ Shedeur Sanders reacts to Dillon Gabriel’s ‘entertainers, competitors’ comment');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Browns-QB-Shedeur-Sanders_01ff09.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Browns’ Shedeur Sanders reacts to Dillon Gabriel’s ‘entertainers, competitors’ comment</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-21T12:56:32-07:00">August 21st, 12:56pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-21T12:56:32-07:00">August 21st, 12:56pm</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Browns</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Even though the race for who will be <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-joe-flacco-gets-100-real-on-week-2-ravens-clash-after-winning-qb1-job">the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback</a> is now over, there’s still plenty of competition in the team’s quarterback room. Two rookie signal callers, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, are vying to see who the backup signal caller to Joe Flacco will be. Following Gabriel’s comments last week, Sanders spoke about the whole ordeal to the press after practice Wednesday. The <a href="https://x.com/DanielOyefusi/status/1958579450477507034" rel="noopener">fifth rounder’s thoughts were shared</a> by team beat reporter Daniel Oyefusi on X (formerly Twitter).</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Browns QB Shedeur Sanders said fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel approached him on the plane last week to tell him the entertainers-and-competitors quote was not about him. Sanders’ comments on the whole ordeal. <a href="https://t.co/BjHIiUbBxU">pic.twitter.com/BjHIiUbBxU</a></p><p>— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanielOyefusi/status/1958579450477507034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“Browns QB Shedeur Sanders said fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel approached him on the plane last week to tell him the entertainers-and-competitors quote was not about him,” reported Oyefusi on Thursday. “Sanders’ comments on the whole ordeal.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-shedeur-sanders-back-practice-after-oblique-injury">Sanders wasn’t too worried about</a> the comments, as he believed Gabriel meant that the comment wasn’t about him. The former Colorado star went through one of the most shocking falls in NFL draft history when he fell from a projected first, possibly second round selection all the way to day three. The Browns themselves passed on Sanders multiple times, including when they selected Gabriel in the third round. Will either of these rookies prove to be the long-awaited answer at quarterback for Cleveland?</p><h2><b>Who will be Browns’ long-term answer at quarterback?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Browns-QB-Dillon-Gabriel-1.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>If things go according to plan, then the Browns will ride the steady veteran hand of Flacco for at least this season, possibly another. By that time, either Gabriel, Sanders or another option (Arch Manning, perhaps?) will be ready to take over. If Cleveland has a successful year with Flacco under center, then it gives <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-dillon-gabriel-entertainers-quip-shedeur-sanders">Gabriel and Sanders more time</a> to develop in head coach Kevin Stefanski’s system. In turn, that would likely lead to them having a better chance at taking over the Browns’ starting role once they are ready.</p><p>While many have clamored for Sanders to take over the role, it’s clear that Stefanski and his staff have <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-joe-flacco-winning-starting-qb-role-hits-cleveland-fans-with-harsh-reality">the most faith in Flacco.</a> After all, Flacco and Stefanski led the team on an unlikely playoff run just two seasons ago. Who knows that could have happened if he had remained with the Browns last season. Will this season go according to plan in Cleveland? If not, there’s certainly a shot that we will see either Gabriel or Sanders under center at some point during this campaign.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Browns’ Shedeur Sanders reacts to Dillon Gabriel’s ‘entertainers, competitors’ comment

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/cleveland-browns/overreactions-dillon-gabriel-preseason-debut-browns');   ga('set', 'title', '3 overreactions to Dillon Gabriel’s preseason debut with Browns');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/X-overreactions-to-Dillon-Gabriels-preseason-debut-with-Browns.jpg"></figure><h1>3 overreactions to Dillon Gabriel’s preseason debut with Browns</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-20T19:37:11-07:00">August 20th, 7:37pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-20T19:37:11-07:00">August 20th, 7:37pm</time><address><a href="http://hoopnut.blogspot.com/">Enzo Flojo</a>Enzo Flojo is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints and a columnist for Asian basketball at FIBA. He brings a dynamic spirit and background, having expertise that spans writing, analytics, coaching, and broadcasting. He is also currently an Assistant Coach on Scouting &amp; Analytics for the Philippine national youth basketball team.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Browns</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Preseason football exists in its own strange world. One half-decent throw from a rookie quarterback becomes the stuff of legend, while one misstep can set off alarm bells across social media. Fans cling to every snap, often projecting future greatness or imminent disaster based on games played largely by backups. To wit, the Cleveland Browns’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles last August 16 provided the perfect stage for this cycle. At the center of it all was rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel.</p><h2><b>A Rookie Spotlight in Philadelphia</b></h2><p>The Browns’ first preseason game last August 8 sparked plenty of chatter, and much of that carried into <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore/_/gameId/401773006">their 22-13 win</a> over the Eagles on a week later. Once again, the focus was on quarterbacks, though not the one most expected. Shedeur Sanders, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-shedeur-sanders-debut-received-mixed-feedback-according-to-dianna-russini">who impressed in the opener</a> against the Carolina Panthers, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-shedeur-sanders-back-practice-after-oblique-injury">sat out with an oblique strain</a> from joint practices in Philadelphia. That absence cleared the way for fellow rookie Gabriel to start, and naturally, the overreactions began.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Browns-quarterback-Dillon-Gabriel-5-snaps-the-ball-against-the-Eagles.jpg"><figcaption>Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/browns-news-kevin-stefanskis-blunt-verdict-dillon-gabriel-led-offense-vs-eagles">Gabriel’s debut was a mixed bag</a>. He looked sharp at times, completing 13 of 18 passes for 138 yards and leading three scoring drives. However, he also showed his inexperience. This was most notable with a pick-six to Andrew Mukuba and a fumbled handoff. Statistically, his night wasn’t far off from Sanders’ 14-of-23, 138-yard, two-touchdown debut. That said, both looked like rookies in their first NFL action. And the bottom line remains: unless something happens to Joe Flacco, neither Sanders nor Gabriel will be under center when the Browns open the season against the Bengals on Sept. 7.</p><p>With that in mind, let’s break down the three biggest overreactions swirling around Gabriel’s debut.</p><h2><b>1. Dillon Gabriel Was Near-Perfect in Preseason Debut</b></h2><p>It’s tempting to view Gabriel’s debut through the lens of his poise and efficiency. Again, he completed 72 percent of his passes, and he showed solid ability to keep chains moving early. That included three-for-three on third downs on his opening drive. That gave the Browns much-needed momentum. It’s the kind of composure fans dream about in a rookie.</p><p>On the flip side, to call his performance ‘near-perfect’ ignores the glaring blemishes. The pick-six to Mukuba wasn’t just a rookie mistake. It was a backbreaking, momentum-shifting error. Add in a botched handoff that resulted in a lost fumble, and suddenly the narrative looks very different. These weren’t harmless miscues. They were the type of plays that can lose regular-season games.</p><p>Yes, Gabriel showed flashes of confidence and command, and that’s reason for optimism. Still, perfection? Not even close. This was a mixed bag. It was encouraging but far from flawless. Overhyping it only sets the bar unreasonably high for a player still learning the pro game.</p><h2><b>2. Gabriel Has Won the QB2 Spot for the Browns</b></h2><p>Some fans immediately penciled Gabriel in as the Browns’ backup quarterback after his performance in Philadelphia. The thinking goes: if he can look this good under the lights, why not hand him the job behind Flacco?</p><p>The problem with that thinking is twofold. First, the Browns still have other viable candidates in the room, including, of course, Sanders, who turned in a steady, efficient outing against Carolina before his minor injury. And then let’s not forget Kenny Pickett, who remains in the mix as a veteran option. One decent half of football doesn’t erase months of evaluation and competition.</p><p>Additionally, preseason depth charts are rarely decided after one performance. Coaches value consistency and progression over time. Gabriel showed potential, but he also showed inexperience. The Browns coaching staff is unlikely to crown him QB2 this early. If anything, his debut earned him more snaps and more evaluation, not the job outright.</p><h2><b>3. Gabriel Will Eventually Take Over as QB1 in the 2025 NFL Season</b></h2><p>This is where enthusiasm starts to drift into fantasy. Gabriel might one day become a starter in the NFL, but declaring that he’ll overtake Flacco this season is simply premature.</p><p>The Browns brought in Flacco to stabilize the position with experience. He remains the clear Week 1 starter barring injury. Rookie quarterbacks, especially mid-round picks like Gabriel, usually require seasoning. Even highly drafted passers rarely jump straight from a preseason cameo into a regular-season starting role.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Browns-QB-Dillon-Gabriel-runs.jpg"><figcaption>Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Gabriel’s flashes of accuracy in the short game, pocket composure, and mobility are reasons to be excited about his future. That said, his miscues remind us why development is necessary. Thrusting him into a starting role too soon could do more harm than good. Suggesting he’s bound for QB1 this season ignores how NFL teams groom young quarterbacks and how much Gabriel still has to learn.</p><h2><b>Looking Ahead</b></h2><p>Preseason football invites overreaction by design. Gabriel gave Browns fans a reason to dream, and that’s a positive development in itself. However, the bigger truth is that he looked exactly like what he is: a rookie quarterback in August. He was capable of promising moments and costly mistakes in equal measure.</p><p>For Cleveland, the key isn’t whether Gabriel was perfect, or whether he’s the next starter in waiting. It’s whether he can build on these moments, clean up the turnovers, and give the Browns confidence that they’ve added another intriguing piece for the future. Until then, fans should enjoy the flashes, temper the hype, and remember that August is for glimpses, not guarantees.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Dillon Gabriel

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3 overreactions to Dillon Gabriel’s preseason debut with Browns

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