In rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s second NFL start, the Cleveland Browns continued their downward spiral, getting crushed 23-9 by the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC North matchup. Gabriel threw the ball 52 times, yet the offense went nowhere – the Browns only managed three field goals.
Gabriel, a product of the Oregon Ducks, completed 29 of 52 passes for 221 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked six times and hit repeatedly, as the Browns’ offensive line failed to contain Pittsburgh’s aggressive front seven.
Despite Gabriel’s high number of pass attempts, his most productive throw was a 24-yard completion to another rookie, tight end Harold Fanning Jr. Meanwhile, running back Quinshon Judkins – previously the Browns’ offensive cornerstone – was limited to just 12 carries for 36 yards. Kevin Stefanski’s squad simply couldn’t find any rhythm.
Kevin Stefanski never considered putting Shedeur Sanders in the game
The week leading up to the matchup against Pittsburgh was eventful. Joe Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals after losing the starting job to Dillon Gabriel. That move elevated Shedeur Sanders to the backup quarterback role for the Browns, and he suited up as QB2 against the Steelers.
With Gabriel struggling – especially early in the fourth quarter – social media and analysts began calling for Stefanski to give Sanders a chance. However, that never happened. The former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback will have to wait at least another week for his potential debut.
After the game, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski admitted that it never crossed his mind to make a quarterback change, despite Gabriel’s frustrating performance. Fans wanted to see Shedeur Sanders on the field, but Stefanski reaffirmed his full confidence in the former Oregon Ducks signal-caller.
There’s no doubt the pressure will continue to mount on Dillon Gabriel. The Browns return home next Sunday to face the Miami Dolphins – and one thing is clear: the fans are eager to see Shedeur Sanders play, meaning Gabriel will have zero margin for error moving forward.
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