ClutchPoints
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.
The Browns’ first preseason game last August 8 sparked plenty of chatter, and much of that carried into their 22-13 win over the Eagles on a week later. Once again, the focus was on quarterbacks, though not the one most expected. Shedeur Sanders, who impressed in the opener against the Carolina Panthers, sat out with an oblique strain from joint practices in Philadelphia. That absence cleared the way for fellow rookie Gabriel to start, and naturally, the overreactions began.
Gabriel’s debut was a mixed bag. 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.
With that in mind, let’s break down the three biggest overreactions swirling around Gabriel’s debut.
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.
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.
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.
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...
