Dillon Gabriel Era Begins? Browns Expected to Start Rookie QB, Flacco Benched After Disappointing Start

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly set to make a significant change at quarterback, with rookie Dillon Gabriel expected to take over the starting role from veteran Joe Flacco, according to sources at CBS Sports. This decision comes after a disappointing 1-3 start to the season under Flacco’s leadership, a performance that has left Browns fans and analysts questioning the team’s direction.

The move to Gabriel represents a bold decision by the Browns coaching staff, signaling a potential shift towards prioritizing the future and evaluating their young talent. Flacco, while bringing experience and a Super Bowl pedigree, hasn’t been able to consistently ignite the Browns offense, struggling with turnovers and a lack of consistent downfield production. The hope is that Gabriel, known for his arm talent and athleticism during his college career, can inject a spark into the team and provide a much-needed offensive boost.

The rookie’s first start is slated to be against the Minnesota Vikings in London, a daunting environment for any quarterback, let alone a rookie making his NFL debut. This overseas game presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Gabriel. He’ll be thrown into the deep end against a Vikings defense that will undoubtedly look to pressure him early and often. However, a strong performance could instantly win over the Browns faithful and establish him as a legitimate contender for the long-term starting job.

The decision to bench Flacco is not without its risks. Flacco’s experience and understanding of the game are valuable assets, and his presence in the quarterback room could still benefit Gabriel’s development. However, the Browns’ brass clearly believe that a change is necessary to jumpstart their season and evaluate Gabriel’s potential. The question now is whether Gabriel can live up to the hype and lead the Browns to a much-needed victory in London. The performance in London will be analyzed by experts and fans to see if the gamble paid off. The pressure will be on the rookie QB to perform. The future of the Cleveland Browns’ season could hang in the balance.

The change at QB is also expected to improve the team’s run game with his mobility, according to insiders. This means we should expect the team to rely heavily on running back Nick Chubb in coming games.