Forget everything you thought you knew about the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback. As Week 1 looms, head coach Todd Monken might have named Deshaun Watson the starter, but a wild theory is brewing, and a second-year player named Dillon Gabriel is right in the middle of it all, making the team’s entire QB situation a downright mess.
Watson’s Shaky Start and a Coach’s Questionable Call
So, Monken tapped Deshaun Watson to lead the charge, claiming it was all based on preseason evaluations. “Ultimately felt like, to start the season on the road, Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points. That’s really what it’s about,” Monken said. Seriously, though? “To start the season on the road” is the big reason? That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for your supposed franchise guy, is it? It feels incredibly unconvicted. There’s even a theory floating around that Monken could be setting Watson up to totally tank those first two road games, paving the way for Shedeur Sanders to step in for Week 3 at home against Carolina. If Watson struggles as a starter, and let’s be real, that’s a very real possibility, who’s to say Gabriel won’t suddenly be the guy fans are clamoring for?
The One Preseason Spark That Changed Everything
Now, let’s talk about Dillon Gabriel. This former third-round pick is no stranger to battling for the starting job, having competed last year with veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Sanders. His 2025 season as a starter was, well, not exactly a highlight reel. He went 1-5, got pulled in Week 11 after a concussion, and then Sanders finished out the year. Gabriel threw for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, two interceptions, and an 80.8 passer rating in ten games of action. Not impressive, right? But then, something crazy happened in the final preseason game against New England. Gabriel absolutely went off! He threw 12 of 15 for 186 yards and three scores. That rollout might’ve been his best play all preseason. Suddenly, we’re talking about a guy who could actually sneak into the starting conversation!
The truth about the Browns’ QB room? Every single option is “downright bad.” None of these arms have tape that makes them the unequivocal choice, which means it’s genuinely “anyone’s job to take.” If Watson can’t deliver, Gabriel could absolutely prove in practice he deserves another shot to lead the team, especially with playmakers like KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. At this point, how much worse could it actually get for the Browns? Taking a gamble on Gabriel could just be more struggles, or maybe, just maybe, he could surprise everyone.
With Watson starting on the road and Monken’s weird reasoning, those first two games are going to be absolutely massive. Fans will be watching every single snap. If Watson falters, then that Week 3 matchup against Carolina at home is suddenly much bigger than just another game; it could be a complete quarterback shakeup. Keep an eye on Gabriel, folks, because this QB battle just went from messy to full-blown chaos!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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