The Cleveland Browns thought they had settled their quarterback picture heading into the 2026 season. Deshaun Watson will start, while Shedeur Sanders is expected to back him up, but Dillon Gabriel has made the decision harder to ignore. His dominant showing in Cleveland’s preseason finale has raised fresh questions about where he fits.
Now, a former NFL quarterback believes the Browns never gave Gabriel a fair chance.
Robert Griffin III Calls Out Browns Over Dillon Gabriel’s Spot
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III criticized Cleveland after Gabriel delivered a standout performance against the New England Patriots.
Griffin took to X and wrote, “Dillon Gabriel is making a mockery of the Cleveland Browns QB competition. 3 TDs in the first half. The competition was never fair to him. It’s why I said this offseason he needs a fresh start with a team interested in developing him to see if he can be a starter in the NFL.”
Dillon Gabriel is making a mockery of the Cleveland Browns QB competition.
3 TDs in the first half.
The competition was never fair to him.
It’s why I said this offseason he needs a fresh start with a team interested in developing him to see if he can be a starter in the NFL.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 28, 2026
Gabriel backed up that argument with his play in Cleveland’s 37-13 victory. The 2025 third-round pick completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns before halftime. He also led the Browns to points on all five possessions he directed.
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The performance came at an awkward time for Gabriel. Cleveland had already chosen Watson as its Week 1 starter and placed Sanders at No. 2 on the depth chart. Gabriel entered the preseason finale competing with rookie Taylen Green for the final quarterback spot, despite starting six games during his rookie season.
That is the part of the situation Griffin took issue with. Rather than continuing to fight for a limited opportunity in Cleveland, he believes Gabriel could benefit from joining a team prepared to develop him into a potential starter.
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The Browns, who ranked dead last in PFN NFL Offense Impact for 2025, now have a difficult roster decision ahead. NFL teams must reduce their rosters to 53 players by Aug. 30, meaning Cleveland has little time to determine Gabriel’s future. Releasing him could expose the 25-year-old quarterback to the waiver wire, where another team could claim him.
Gabriel’s performance also gives Cleveland another option to consider. Watson is preparing to open the regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13, with Sanders expected to be his backup.
Gabriel may not have changed the Browns’ quarterback order, but his final preseason performance has made his place in that room much harder to overlook.
