Three touchdowns would be a pretty good day for the Browns’ offense nowadays. Well, Dillon Gabriel did that in just one half in their final preseason game against the New England Patriots.
Although starters were rested, Gabriel picked apart the defense and made a statement to the Browns. It didn’t go unnoticed as the NFL world gave him plenty of kudos, and even some were willing to call him the best QB in Cleveland.
NFL Fans Laud Dillon Gabriel’s Impressive Half
Gabriel knew he needed to show out when given the chance, and he did just that. He completed 12 of his 15 pass attempts for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
Gabriel is the likely QB3 in Cleveland behind recently announced starter Deshaun Watson and backup Shedeur Sanders. But neither Sanders nor Watson looked anywhere near as good as him in the preseason.
Watson completed 16 of 27 passes for 162 yards and an interception in two preseason games. Sanders has completed 15 of 22 passes for 153 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Including today’s stats, Gabriel has completed 17 of 24 attempts for 209 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
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Fans were ready to crown Gabriel as QB1, the quarterback who deserved to be starting in Cleveland over the two quarterbacks ahead of him.
“Best QB on their roster is buried in the [expletive] depth chart lol,” said one fan.
“Cleveland’s real QB1,” added another user on X.
Cleveland’s real QB1
— AntiWeenieSZN (@Its_GiantsSZN) August 28, 2026
“Should be the QB1 instead of Watson smh,” agreed another fan.
Should be the QB1 instead of Watson smh
— Luke Christensen (@LukeChrisFFL) August 28, 2026
While Gabriel was lighting up the defending AFC champions, NFL fans were lighting up Watson for being named the starter. Browns fans had already expressed their disagreement with head coach Todd Monken picking Watson over Sanders, but now Gabriel’s performance has them thinking the three-time Pro Bowler might even be the worst of the three.
“They got the worst QB on the team starting,” said one fan.
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Gabriel didn’t have the toughest competition when he showed out tonight. Many teams elect to sit their starters in the final preseason game nowadays, and the Patriots and Browns did that. The former Oregon star’s dominance over the backups didn’t quite convince all NFL fans, but it was enough to make one Browns fan believe he deserves a shot in Cleveland.
“He obviously sucks but there’s a good chance he sucks less than Watson and Sanders,” said one fan.
He obviously sucks but there’s a good chance he sucks less than Watson and Sanders https://t.co/EgDOSmhMq2
— guh (@De_Cleveland) August 28, 2026
The Browns are going to have their work cut out for them, and who knows who will be the starting quarterback a few weeks into the season.
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Last year, Sanders started last season as the QB4 on the depth chart and was in the starting lineup in the second half of the season. Gabriel could very well get a shot later in the season, and the fan endorsement is here after tonight.
“It is wild how much better Dillon Gabriel looks than Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders lol,” said one fan.
It is wild how much better Dillon Gabriel looks than Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders lololol
— Big Mike (@big_mike9169) August 28, 2026
It might be a crowded QB room for the Browns, but it’s a rough room in the grand scheme of things. Watson and Sanders are far from ideal options at quarterback and will likely lead the Browns to another lost season, no matter who is under center.
According to PFN’s QB Impact Metric, Sanders posted an impact score of 63.0 last season, ranking second-worst in the league. Watson, on the other hand, last played in 2024, when he posted an impact score of 59.9, which ranked worst in the league.
Gabriel had some chances last season as a starter and didn’t quite capitalize either, so it will be interesting to see which Browns QB can hold onto the starting role throughout the season. Regardless, he helped his case with his impressive showing against New England.
