Dillon Gabriel, the Cleveland Browns’ third-round pick from last year, is staring down a brutal truth this Thursday night: he’s playing for his NFL roster spot. This isn’t some casual preseason warm-up; it’s the final week of games, and teams across the league are making those cutthroat decisions about who gets a coveted 53-man roster spot and who ends up on the practice squad. Every single snap matters.
Gabriel’s Do-Or-Die Moment in Cleveland
Browns head coach Todd Monken laid it all out: his starters, including the main guy Deshaun Watson, are taking a seat against the New England Patriots this Thursday. Even Watson’s backup, Shedeur Sanders, won’t be out there. That leaves the field wide open for Gabriel. He’s expected to play a good chunk of the game, and let’s be real, after starting six games during the 2025 season, he’s absolutely fighting to secure his future with the team. Taylen Green is also set to play for the Browns. It’s a high-stakes audition with zero room for error, especially when the Patriots are also sitting their starters, like quarterback Drake Maye and wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Steelers’ Young QBs Hit a Rough Patch
Over in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have their own quarterback drama unfolding as they face the Buffalo Bills. We won’t see any fireworks from Aaron Rodgers or Josh Allen; Allen’s preseason is officially done, though Bills head coach Joe Brady teased he might get to call some plays. The real show for Buffalo is the QB2 competition between Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele. But for the Steelers, it’s about Will Howard and Drew Allar. These guys looked good against the Packers in the opener, but man, they really struggled last week against the New York Jets. Howard notably threw a pair of first-half interceptions, which is never a good look when you’re trying to prove yourself. The Steelers are expected to really dial in on Howard and Allar again, putting them under the microscope. And get this: Mason Rudolph’s tape from the opener versus the Packers actually satisfied head coach Mike McCarthy. We’ll have to see if Aaron Rodgers even gets called upon, which tells you everything about the uncertainty.
This Thursday isn’t just another game on the calendar; it’s the last chance for players like Gabriel, Howard, and Allar to make their case. Every single yard, every completion, every interception, it’s all being evaluated for those final roster spots. We’ll be watching to see who steps up and grabs their shot at an NFL dream, and who might be looking for a new home come Saturday.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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