Reports indicate that the Cleveland Browns are considering a different quarterback option for their Week 5 game.
According to information shared by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Browns are leaning towards giving Dillon Gabriel the nod over Joe Flacco in Sunday’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Furthermore, Tony Rizzo, a radio host for ESPN Cleveland, mentioned on Tuesday morning that Gabriel is slated to start in London, suggesting there’s “internal disagreement” within the team regarding the quarterback selection.
It would signify Gabriel’s inaugural NFL start, following brief appearances in two of Cleveland’s games earlier in the current season.
Flacco’s Challenging Start
Flacco emerged victorious in a competitive quarterback battle against Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, and Shedeur Sanders during the offseason. The Browns currently hold a 1-3 record with the 40-year-old at the helm, ranking near the bottom of the league in scoring with the second-fewest points (56), only ahead of the Tennessee Titans.
Flacco experienced a resurgence of form, guiding the Browns to the 2023 playoffs by accumulating 1,616 passing yards and 13 touchdowns across five games. However, he hasn’t replicated that success upon his return to Cleveland, currently holding the lowest quarterback rating (60.3) among all starting quarterbacks this season.
The former Super Bowl MVP has only managed to throw two touchdowns while being intercepted six times. Additionally, Flacco’s completion percentage (58.1) and yards per attempt (5.1) are among the lowest in the league. In Sunday’s 34-10 defeat against the Detroit Lions, he completed 16 of 34 passes for 184 yards, without any touchdowns and two interceptions, which prompted questions about a potential quarterback change for Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
“I understand why that question is being asked, particularly considering our offensive struggles,” Stefanski stated following the Week 4 game, according to the Associated Press. “However, that is not our immediate focus. Achieving success on either side of the ball necessitates strong and cohesive play. Currently, we are encountering too many issues, and we all share responsibility for that. It isn’t attributable to any single player.”
Potential Impact of Gabriel on Cleveland’s Offense
Jun 12, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) and quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during mini camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images© Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Although Gabriel might not be the most well-known rookie quarterback on the Browns roster, the team selected him in the third round of the draft, prior to Sanders’ selection in the fifth round. The former Oregon standout is reportedly poised to experience his first opportunity to play in an NFL game.
Over the course of six seasons, Gabriel accumulated 155 touchdown passes while playing for three different college programs. He secured third place in the Heisman Trophy voting last year, following his leadership in guiding the Ducks to an undefeated regular season and a Big Ten title, before ultimately losing to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.
Gabriel successfully completed all three of his pass attempts for 19 yards and one touchdown during his NFL debut in a Week 1 defeat against the Baltimore Ravens. If he secures the starting position for Week 5, the 24-year-old will encounter a formidable challenge against a Vikings defense that has only allowed an average of 151.5 passing yards per game.
The game between the Browns and Vikings on Sunday is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET and will be broadcast on the NFL Network.
This information was initially reported by The Spun on Sep 30, 2025, where it was originally published in the NFL section. You can add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
