Gabriel Embraces Sanders’ Addition to Browns’ QB Competition
BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns made waves during the NFL draft with their selection of quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round. It was a move that caught many by surprise, as Gabriel was widely expected to be a Day 3 pick. However, the surprise was short-lived as the Browns later drafted Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round, ending his unexpected slide in the draft.
Since the draft, Sanders has been the talk of the town, both in Cleveland and beyond. Despite the buzz surrounding Sanders, Gabriel has welcomed his addition to what is now a very competitive quarterback room.
“I love it,” Gabriel said on Saturday before the Browns’ second rookie minicamp practice. “I love it because of who it is. I think just for us both, you can learn from one another, but also it’s not just us two in the room. At least for right now it is. But going into the year, Kenny [Pickett], Joe [Flacco], and even Deshaun [Watson], just a bunch of guys who played a bunch of ball that we can all learn from one another.”
During the first day of rookie minicamp, both Sanders and Gabriel shared practice reps, with Gabriel taking the initial snaps in team drills. However, head coach Kevin Stefanski downplayed the significance of the practice order. He emphasized that the rookies’ work in minicamp is both competitive and instructional, and that the quarterback competition in the coming months would be an “all-encompassing evaluation.”
Both Sanders and Gabriel are making the transition to the professional level after enjoying lengthy and successful college careers. Sanders spent four years at FCS Jackson State before joining his father, Deion Sanders, at Colorado. Gabriel, on the other hand, was a six-year player who made 63 starts during his time at Oregon, Oklahoma, and UCF.
Despite the crowded quarterback room, Gabriel is determined to approach every practice as if he is the starter.
“I only know one way to prepare,” Gabriel said. “I only know one way to work and that is as the starter. I’ve played a bunch of ball and have a lot of experience, so I’m going to use that to my advantage. … I think every day I approach is like I’m going to go get that rep and I live it like that.”
Sanders, meanwhile, is not focused on proving his doubters wrong after his surprising fall in the draft.
“It’s just me versus me,” Sanders said. “I can’t control any other decision besides that. So, I just try to be my best self at all times. … My job here isn’t to prove people wrong. I’m proving myself right.”
- Both quarterbacks are eager to learn from the experienced players in the room, including Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, and Deshaun Watson.
- Coach Kevin Stefanski emphasizes that the competition is an “all-encompassing evaluation.”
- Gabriel and Sanders both have extensive college experience, with Gabriel having made 63 starts across three schools.
As the Browns’ quarterback competition heats up, all eyes will be on how these young quarterbacks develop and adapt to the NFL. With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising rookies, the Browns’ quarterback room is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing storylines of the upcoming season.
Originally Written by: Daniel Oyefusi
