The Cleveland Browns have made a change at quarterback, benching veteran Joe Flacco and starting rookie Dillon Gabriel, with the hopes that fewer turnovers will give Cleveland a better chance of winning with their defense.

Flacco, 40, has struggled in the Browns’ 1-3 start, with two touchdowns against six interceptions. He is last in the league in passer rating (60.3) and second-to-last, ahead of only Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward, in both completion percentage (58.2) and yards per attempt (5.1). As a result of Flacco’s six interceptions, the Browns have the second-worst turnover margin in the NFL at minus-6, better than only the New York Jets.

Still, there’s something undeniably intriguing about this move. Gabriel’s presence brings energy and optimism—a sense of fresh possibility that has been missing from the Browns’ offense. Teammates reportedly admire his confidence and work ethic.

He’s known as a film junkie who studies tirelessly and embraces competition. That mentality could go a long way in winning over the locker room. If Gabriel can build chemistry with key offensive pieces like Amari Cooper, David Njoku, and Jerome Ford, the Browns could suddenly boast a balanced and explosive attack. Paired with one of the league’s most dominant defenses, led by Myles Garrett, the potential ceiling is tantalizingly high.

Financially, the move also makes sense. Flacco, though affordable by veteran standards, isn’t a long-term investment. A rookie quarterback contract like Gabriel’s frees up cap space that can be used to strengthen other areas of the roster—particularly the offensive line and secondary, both of which remain crucial to Cleveland’s success.

With Gabriel, the Browns gain flexibility and a longer runway to build a contender around a young quarterback. It’s the kind of strategic move that can either transform a franchise or set it back years, depending on how it plays out.

The decision to move on from Flacco also speaks volumes about the Browns’ confidence in their developmental staff. Quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt, known for his work with young passers, reportedly played a key role in advocating for Gabriel. The organization believes that under the right mentorship, Gabriel’s learning curve can be accelerated.

The challenge will be managing expectations—both inside and outside the locker room. Gabriel doesn’t need to be a superstar overnight; he just needs to show progress, poise, and flashes of potential. The Browns have been burned before by rushing young quarterbacks into the spotlight, and if they’ve learned from those mistakes, they’ll bring Gabriel along at a measured pace.

From a fan’s perspective, the shift from Flacco to Gabriel is bittersweet. Flacco embodied resilience, reviving his career in a city that appreciates grit and toughness. His unexpected run became one of the feel-good stories of the season. But football is a business, and sentiment rarely outweighs strategy. The Browns are looking ahead, not back. They’re chasing a future built on youth, mobility, and upside. It’s a high-risk, high-reward play—exactly the kind of gamble that defines great franchises when it works.

Gabriel, 24, was a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, bringing more experience than most college players. He started 63 games over six seasons while at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon, which is the most ever for a quarterback in FBS history. Limiting turnovers was a strength for him in college, with five separate seasons of at least 25 touchdown passes and seven or fewer interceptions. His college career numbers wound up being 155 touchdowns against 32 interceptions, an impressive ratio of 4.84 to 1.

Can he do that in the NFL? That remains to be seen. Cleveland’s defense has had a good first month of the season, though. It ranked No. 1 in the league in total defense and rushing defense through the first four weeks, while also ranking fourth against the pass. Yet, the Browns are somehow 24th in scoring defense. But that can be explained through two special teams touchdowns, another score on a pick-six and two opponent 5-yard touchdown drives after interceptions.

Three of Joe Flac(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Browns aren’t likely to be substantially better on offense with Gabriel at quarterback. They’re 31st in scoring and 27th in total offense, but if he can simply cut the turnovers in half, there are winnable games in the next four weeks before their bye week. The Browns head overseas and will face the Minnesota Vikings in London on Sunday, then play at the Steelers in Pittsburgh before a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins and a road game at the New England Patriots.

Cleveland drafted two quarterbacks this season, and while Gabriel takes over as the starter, Flacco will still dress as the top backup. That means fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders will be the team’s No. 3 quarterback, playing only if the first two are injured. If Gabriel struggles as Flacco has, they may give Sanders a look. It’s also possible they trade for a different veteran before the league’s trade deadline on Nov. 4.

The Browns’ perpetual search for a franchise quarterback has had them try multiple starters all too regularly. Last year, four different quarterbacks started for Cleveland, combining for a 3-14 record. In 2023, they had five different starters, with Flacco going 4-1 as the fifth to get them into the playoffs. They haven’t had one quarterback start every game in a season since 2020, when Baker Mayfield went 11-5 and led the team to a rare playoff victory.

BROWNS BETTING BIG ON DILLON GABRIEL! Can Ditching Joe Flacco for the Young Gun Pay Off? Insiders Say: “It’s High Risk… But Could Be Franchise-Changing!”

The Cleveland Browns have never been shy about taking bold swings at the quarterback position. From Johnny Manziel to Baker Mayfield to Deshaun Watson, the franchise has lived through a revolving door of signal-callers—each one hailed as the answer, and each one, ultimately, just another chapter in the ongoing search for stability. Now, with the Browns reportedly turning their attention to Dillon Gabriel, the dynamic young quarterback out of Oregon, the team seems ready to gamble again. The move, which effectively ends the Joe Flacco comeback story in Cleveland, signals a new direction—one defined by risk, upside, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.

When Joe Flacco stepped in for the Browns last season, he became an unexpected hero. The veteran quarterback, thought to be well past his prime, led a late-season playoff push that reignited hope in Cleveland. Fans rallied behind him, his steady hand and deep-ball accuracy providing a brief glimpse of competence at a position that had long been a source of frustration. Yet, despite that magical run, the Browns’ front office seems unwilling to rest on a stopgap solution. At 40 years old, Flacco’s days as a starter are limited, and Cleveland knows it. The question now is whether Dillon Gabriel—a mobile, left-handed gunslinger known for his accuracy and fearless playmaking—can be the spark that carries this team into a new era.

Gabriel, a standout in college football, made his name as one of the most productive quarterbacks in the country. His time at UCF, Oklahoma, and later Oregon showcased his ability to adapt to different systems and excel under pressure. Known for his quick release, strong decision-making, and leadership qualities, Gabriel brings traits that NFL scouts believe can translate at the next level. But unlike seasoned veterans, his transition to the pro game won’t be seamless. The speed, complexity, and physicality of NFL defenses often expose even the most gifted college quarterbacks. The Browns, however, seem willing to bet that Gabriel’s combination of talent and intangibles will outweigh the learning curve.

Inside sources close to the Browns’ front office describe this move as “calculated risk-taking.” The organization reportedly believes that Gabriel fits better with head coach Kevin Stefanski’s evolving offensive philosophy, one that emphasizes mobility, play-action versatility, and the ability to extend plays. Stefanski’s playbook has long favored quarterbacks who can move outside the pocket and keep defenses guessing. Gabriel’s athleticism opens up that possibility in ways Flacco never could. While Flacco’s experience and arm strength were assets in a traditional pocket system, the modern NFL demands quarterbacks who can do more than just stand tall and deliver from the pocket. Gabriel’s style might finally allow Cleveland to unlock the full potential of its offense.

However, not everyone in the league is convinced. Some analysts argue that the Browns are taking too big of a risk by letting go of the veteran stability Flacco provided. “Flacco gave them leadership, composure, and an understanding of the moment,” one insider told The Athletic. “Gabriel’s got all the physical tools, but this isn’t college football anymore. He’s stepping into one of the most pressure-filled quarterback rooms in the NFL.” It’s a valid concern. Cleveland’s fanbase has been starved for consistent quarterback play, and the weight of expectations can crush even the most promising young players. The Browns’ history is filled with examples of talented passers who couldn’t shoulder the pressure that comes with playing under the bright lights of the Dawg Pound.

In truth, no one can say for sure how this will end. Dillon Gabriel could become the next great Browns quarterback, leading the team to playoff success and finally silencing decades of skepticism. Or he could become another name on a long list of failed experiments. What makes this moment different, however, is the sense that the Browns are making a move with purpose. They’re not reacting to failure—they’re betting on potential. And in today’s NFL, where innovation and adaptability often define success, that might just be the smartest gamble they’ve made in years.

If this works, Cleveland could finally have its quarterback of the future—a dynamic young leader capable of making plays that keep defensive coordinators up at night. If it doesn’t, the Browns will once again find themselves searching, haunted by the same question that has loomed for decades: who will finally deliver lasting stability under center? For now, all eyes are on Dillon Gabriel, the new face of hope in Cleveland. The stakes are high, the pressure immense, but for a franchise built on resilience, this might be the moment that changes everything.