This week, the Cleveland Browns chose to bench veteran quarterback Joe Flacco for 2025 third-round pick Dillon Gabriel. The move sent shockwaves through the Browns’ fan base, with loyal fans and NFL analysts reacting to the exciting QB room change.
However, despite Gabriel’s new role, the spotlight remained on Flacco, especially as the 18-season QB steps back.
Cleveland Browns’ QB Joe Flacco Breaks Silence as Dillon Gabriel Takes Over as QB1
Shortly after the Browns’ announcement, all eyes were on Flacco as they waited for the NFL veteran to speak up. And while a few remain uncertain about the Browns’ decision, Flacco seems to support the 24-year-old rookie.
“Listen. He’s into it, man. He’s ready to go,” Flacco said. “I’m sure he’s super excited about this opportunity. You can tell that he takes it seriously just by the way he studies and his intent in the meeting rooms and on the practice field.”
That being said, Flacco remained positive about the change, accepting that anything can happen in the NFL — especially if your performance is not up to the mark.
#Browns Joe Flacco on finding out he was being demoted to backup QB pic.twitter.com/S1uLRy4SvQ
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) October 1, 2025
“Anytime you’re in this league, everyone is always getting evaluated. And the job of a quarterback is to help your team win football games. I don’t know if I saw it coming, but listen, me and Kevin [Stefanski] can have a good conversation. It wasn’t like it was anything super long or drawn out, but got to the point and had a good conversation about it. It is what it is,” Flacco explained.
Despite the team’s efforts, fans have been hoping for a QB room shakeup right after the Browns’ 1-3 start to the season.
Flacco, in his 18th year, has a passer rating of 60.3 with 815 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions this season. Gabriel, in two games, has a passer rating of 124 with 19 yards and one touchdown.
Gabriel is Thankful For Flacco’s Presence on the Team
Just like Flacco, Gabriel remains appreciative of the veteran’s presence on the team. Though the Round 3 pick will no longer play as a backup, he continues to lean on Flacco as a mentor. After all, nothing can replace almost two decades of experience in the league.
Dillon Gabriel he appreciates Joe Flacco because he said “it’s not his job to be a mentor.”
But, Gabriel say, Flacco’s “openness to answer questions” and be a resource has helped prepare for this moment. pic.twitter.com/2GAyYSpVku
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) October 1, 2025
“It’s not his job to be a mentor. It’s his job to be a great quarterback … It’s my job to ask questions and search for answers,” Gabriel explained.
The Browns’ Week 5 Game against the Minnesota Vikings is scheduled on Sunday, October 5, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, located at the Northumberland Development Project in London.
