Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel will look different when the regular season rolls around.
Gabriel, who will serve as the primary backup when the season begins, has changed his jersey number. The former Oregon standout wore No. 5 for the preseason but will shift to No. 8 for the regular season, which is the number he wore during college.
With the roster being cut down to 53 players, it opened up some more options. Safety Rayshawn Jenkins will take the No. 5 that was previously worn by Gabriel. Other number shifts include Isaiah Bond going from No. 81 to 16. Kicker Andre Szmyt also has a new number, now sporting No. 25 instead of No. 47.
Fans took notice that something was up with Gabriel’s jersey when it was no longer available to purchase on the official NFL shop.
The Browns’ other rookie quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, will not be changing numbers. Much was made of Sanders wearing No. 12 instead of No. 2 — the number he wore throughout college and built part of his brand around. Despite going in the fifth round, Sanders still has one of the top-selling rookie jerseys in the NFL.
Wide receiver/return man DeAndre Carter will keep No. 2. Carter was initially reported to be among the team’s cuts but ultimately made the 53-man roster.
Dillon Gabriel Beat Out Shedeur Sanders for Browns’ Backup Role
The Browns sorted out their quarterback room as they cut the roster down to 53 players. Cleveland traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders and released Tyler Huntley, who later signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Gabriel would be serving as the primary backup to 40-year-old Joe Flacco to open the season. Sanders will serve as the emergency quarterback, who can only enter the game if both Flacco and Gabriel are injured.
“We feel comfortable with Dillon serving that role,” Stefanski said. “Kenny’s a guy I think very highly of and so do I wish him well. He’s a really good football player, but those are the type of decisions that you have to make.”
The Browns kept a close eye on their rookie passers during the preseason. Cleveland is confident that Gabriel will be able to produce if his number is called.
“It’s such an all-encompassing evaluation. Everything the guys did in the games was important. We also saw a lot of them out here in practice and how they are at their craft,” Stefanski said of Gabriel. “He’s certainly somebody that we think is getting better and better.”
Browns Added QB Bailey Zappe to Mix
The Browns’ quarterback room did add a new face ahead of the season. Cleveland signed Bailey Zappe to the practice squad. Zappe was with the Browns last season and has some familiarity with the system. He started the final game of the season last year with the Browns.
” I got to spend a lot of time with Bailey (Zappe) last season. Really talented kid, fits him well, works very hard. So glad he’s back,” Stefanski said. “I think you’ve got to make sure that room is strong in numbers. So, we like Bailey, what he brings, and being around him, know what he’s about. But that’s all it is.”
Stefanski also made it clear that the addition of Zappe does not threaten Sanders’ No. 3 spot on the depth chart. The Browns open the season on Sept. 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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