Jul 28, 2026, 5:00 PM CUT

Dillon Gabriel's path to Browns roster narrows amid QB depth

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 16: Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel 8 throws a pass during the first quarter of the National Football League game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on November 16, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA NOV 16 Ravens at Browns EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251116039

As the quarterback battle within the Cleveland Browns intensifies, Dillon Gabriel might have missed his chance based on recent predictions around the QB1 role. Dillon Gabriel might have missed his chance based on the recent predictions around the QB1 role.

According to ESPN analyst Daniel Oyefusi's latest predictions on the Browns' QB lineup for the 2026 NFL season, he predicted that their QB depth will consist of Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and the newly drafted QB Taylen Green. And Gabriel might miss his chance of joining the Browns’ 53-man roster.

“Watson and Sanders took the bulk of the reps during the spring, while 2025 third-round pick Dillon Gabriel typically received the remaining reps,” Oyefusi wrote. “Green, the Browns' sixth-round pick this year, is viewed as a developmental prospect, but the Browns are bullish on his upside…”

October 26, 2025 Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel 8 listens to a question during a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz following the game between the Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. /CSM Foxborough United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20251026_zma_c04_686 Copyright: xEricaxDenhoffx

Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN suggests that the Browns' QB room is already crowded with the presence of Watson and Sanders. But with Green in the mix, it has limited Gabriel's reps.

Last season, before suffering a concussion in the Week 11 game, Gabriel appeared in 10 games, throwing for 937 yards and scoring just seven TDs.

Oyefusi’s major concern is that the Browns have a history of trading QBs. Previously, they traded Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.

He believes the Browns might trade out Gabriel as well.

The Browns have landed a four-year contract at $4.7M with rookie Taylen Green, who might become the developmental QB for the Browns.

With Watson and Sanders competing for the QB1 role, however, the Browns might wait for a while to name their QB1.

Browns may not name starting QB until last preseason game

According to Orange and Brown Talk host Dan Labbe and Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot, Todd Monken of the Cleveland Browns might take his time before finally declaring the QB1 for the Browns.

“I see a world in which maybe they let this run on through all three preseason games,” Cabot said on the podcast. “Even if Todd Monken knows in his heart of hearts who his starter is, we might not have a definitive answer on QB1 until after that third preseason game.”

She believes that the QB battle remains too close to call for a one clear winner for the coaching staff.

Cabot noted that while Monken would ideally like to identify his starter earlier, the Browns' only true deadline is the regular-season opener.

Waiting until after the last preseason game would allow the coaching staff to gather as much information as possible before committing to QB1.

As the Browns head into 2026 NFL training camp, every rep matters for landing the QB1 job.

Do you think the Browns would keep up with their history and trade Gabriel out? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker