Steelers Likely to Face Browns Rookie QB in Week 6

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t going to face the Cleveland Browns quarterback they thought they would be in Week 6.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into their bye week, but they can start preparing for their matchup with the Cleveland Browns in Week 6 if they so choose as their AFC North rival announced a major change at quarterback.

According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Browns are benching veteran quarterback Joe Flacco in favor of rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, starting in their Week 5 meeting with the Minnesota Vikings in London.

Change in Cleveland: Browns are benching veteran QB Joe Flacco in favor of rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, per sources. The Browns were informed of the change this morning.

Gabriel’s first NFL start comes Sunday in London vs. the Vikings. pic.twitter.com/lUV1W5RQob

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 1, 2025

Cleveland selected Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft and he impressed during the preseason, completing 25 of his 37 passes (67.6%) for 272 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

However, Flacco was given the nod to start the season, given his previous experience and success with the team. He was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year after leading the Browns to the playoffs in 2023.

The 40-year-old’s play has be far from that level this year, though. Through the first four games of the season, Flacco has completed just 90 of his 160 passes (58.1%) for 815 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions.

That is why Cleveland felt the need to make a change. Although, that change isn’t who some were expecting, or at least hoping for.

The Browns also used a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft on quarterback Shedeur Sanders, but he reportedly remains the team’s third-string quarterback behind Flacco.

Only time will tell if Gabriel will pan out at the next level, but unless he struggles mightily against the Vikings this weekend, it’s likely the Steelers will get to face him in Week 6, too.

A native of Mililani, Hawaii, Gabriel played college football at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon, where he threw for 18,722 yards, 155 touchdowns and 32 interceptions from 2019-24. He also ran for another 1,209 yards and 33 touchdowns.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Likely to Face Browns Rookie QB in Week 6