Cleveland appears to be pivoting to their former Oregon Duck.
Browns to make starting quarterback change in Week 5, per insider originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Cleveland Browns are reportedly making a quarterback change.
After four weeks of Joe Flacco under center and a 1-3 record, head coach Kevin Stefanski is pulling the plug on the 40-year-old veteran and turning to his rookie quarterback, Dillon Gabriel.
The former Oregon Duck will face the Minnesota Vikings in London, England, next week in his first test as Cleveland's starter.
Browns Turning to Dillon Gabriel to Salvage Their Season
The report comes from CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, who was first on the news.
"The current belief is that the #Browns are going to make a change at quarterback and start rookie Dillon Gabriel this week vs. the Vikings, sources tell @CBSSports," wrote in a post on X.
While Flacco was the anointed starter coming out of training camp, the lone veteran quarterback on the Browns roster just hasn't performed to a high enough standard to maintain the starting role.
Through four games, Flacco completed 58.1% of his passes for 815 yards, throwing two touchdowns and six interceptions, while also losing two fumbles.
Cleveland has an elite defense, and if Gabriel can come in and be a distributor at quarterback while limiting mistakes, the Browns have an opportunity to compete in just about every game. Flacco's turnovers are likely what cost him his job.
As previously mentioned, the former Oregon standout has a tall task ahead of him. The Vikings boast one of the league's best defenses, and playing across the Atlantic Ocean is no easy task, especially for a first-time starter.
But clearly, Stefanski and company believe Gabriel gives them the best chance to win right now, and he'll have the chance to prove it Sunday morning.
More Oregon news:
- Browns insider provides update on trade rumors surrounding Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders
- Browns insider projects timeline for Joe Flacco benching, Dillon Gabriel starting
- Oregon star predicted to replace Cowboys' injured Malik Hooker in 2026
- Chargers' Jim Harbaugh says Justin Herbert is 'taking too many hits'
- Did Shedeur Sanders just take a jab at Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco and other NFL QBs?
Category: General Sports
