The upcoming matchup between Tua Tagovailoa and Dillon Gabriel, as the Miami Dolphins face the Cleveland Browns, presents a rare scenario: two left-handed quarterbacks trying to reignite momentum and restore confidence within their struggling teams.
This unique occurrence hasn’t taken place in the NFL since 2006, when Michael Vick went head-to-head with Chris Simms. With this new clash between southpaws, it will mark only the sixth time such a duel has happened since this peculiarity began being tracked, dating back to 1950.
However, there’s another historic layer to this Week 7 matchup: both quarterbacks hail from Hawaii, something that has never happened before in league history.
That’s not all. The two actually crossed paths long before the NFL spotlight, back in 2016, when they faced each other in high school. Their connection stretches beyond professional competition, built on a shared background and parallel journeys. Ahead of their upcoming showdown this Sunday, October 19, Dillon sent a message of encouragement to his fellow islander.
Two successful college QBs, still searching for consistency in the NFL
Both quarterbacks represent the pinnacle of Hawaiian football talent. Dillon Gabriel currently ranks second in total passing yards, while Tua holds the fourth spot. Those numbers suggest one thing: despite their current struggles with their respective franchises, neither is short on ability.
So far this season, Gabriel has completed 57.3% of his passes, throwing for 453 yards and three touchdowns. Tagovailoa, on the other hand, boasts a 69.8% completion rate with 1,213 yards, 11 touchdown passes, and seven interceptions.
Before the 2025 draft, Gabriel addressed the comparisons often drawn between him and Tagovailoa, emphasizing the uniqueness of their shared throwing style.
There are very few of us [lefties], which is cool. It’s a differentiator. It makes us different.
Now, as both quarterbacks prepare for their much-anticipated encounter, those comparisons will continue to follow them. Yet, what truly matters this week isn’t who throws a prettier spiral or who racks up more yards; it’s who can finally lead his team to victory, something both desperately need.
The Dolphins and the Browns enter Week 7 with identical 1-5 records, a reflection of seasons gone awry. Each squad has shown flashes of potential but remains far from playoff contention. As the league’s attention turns toward this rare meeting of Hawaiian southpaws, the game offers more than novelty; it’s an opportunity for redemption.
For Tagovailoa, it’s a chance to prove he can still anchor Miami’s offense with precision and resilience. For Gabriel, it’s an opportunity to silence skeptics and reaffirm the faith that brought him to the league. Both are chasing a win, and perhaps, a revival, that could shift the narrative of their seasons.
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