There’s no doubt that Dillon Gabriel faces immense pressure after being named the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, especially now that his backup isn’t Joe Flacco, who was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals. The one now looming over Gabriel is Shedeur Sanders, and it’s clear that fans are eager to see him lead the team’s offense.
In his second start, Dillon Gabriel had a forgettable game. Perhaps it wasn’t entirely his fault, but the facts speak for themselves: he completed only 29 of 52 passes for 221 yards in the Browns’ 23-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This was Gabriel’s second start with the Browns and his second loss since emerging as a prospect from the Oregon Ducks.
Currently, the Cleveland Browns hold a 1-5 record, and it seems Head Coach Kevin Stefanski’s job could be in serious jeopardy. Stefanski, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, now appears to have lost his team’s direction amid a franchise that increasingly feels like a spectacle.
Kevin Stefanski defends Dillon Gabriel
Most of the buzz around the Browns centers on Shedeur Sanders, who was drafted in the fifth round despite being projected as a first-round pick. However, before selecting Sanders, the Browns drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round of last year’s draft, and since then, Gabriel has clearly received more opportunities than Sanders.
After the game, criticism naturally fell on Dillon Gabriel, as fans and analysts were eager to see Sanders start. Another point of scrutiny was Kevin Stefanski for putting the rookie in a position to throw 52 times against one of the NFL’s most aggressive defenses-the Pittsburgh Steelers, who sacked Gabriel six times.
“He’s a tough kid. We’ve got to keep him clean. Obviously, when the game turns into how it turned-a two-score game-you have to drop back, and that’s a tough team to drop back against,” Kevin Stefanski said regarding Dillon Gabriel after the Steelers game.
Next week, after two consecutive road games, Dillon Gabriel will have his first home start, facing the Miami Dolphins. If things don’t go well there, it’s almost certain that fans will begin calling for Shedeur Sanders, who is already the Browns’ QB2.
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