Dillon Gabriel is the new starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns, which also means he is one of the organization’s primary spokespeople.
Gabriel stepped into that role with both feet on Wednesday, October 1, during a long press conference that covered his promotion to QB1, the upcoming battle in London against the Minnesota Vikings and his feelings on predecessors Joe Flacco and Deshaun Watson — both of whom will continue to have organizational presences through at least the end of this season.
“What I appreciate about Joe is just [that] it’s not his job to be a mentor, it’s his job to be a great quarterback. And I think just his openness to answer questions,” Gabriel said. “Having guys like him [and] Deshaun in the room [who have] just played a bunch of ball — [I] appreciate [them] for that. And [Flacco is] a captain on this team. He’s still a huge piece of what we do, and we look to him for a lot of things because he’s been through it a bunch. So I think there’s a ton of respect there for me, and [he’s] a guy I definitely look up to, and it’s going to be important to have that.”
Joe Flacco Offered Candid Response to Browns Benching Him
GettyQuarterback Joe Flacco of the Cleveland Browns.
Gabriel also elaborated on how Flacco interacted with him after head coach Kevin Stefanski informed the two of the switch on Wednesday.
“I think just for us, it’s constant communication. He’s a guy that you see him every single day — we’re in the same position group — and a guy that you appreciate 100 [percent] of the time because he’s just himself and he’s very even keel,” Gabriel said. “There’s a lot I’ve learned from him and will continue to learn from him. But I know he knows [that] he still has a huge part in what we’re doing.”
Flacco will assume the role of QB2, while rookie Shedeur Sanders will remain QB3 — at least for the immediate future.
“I think the tougher thing is just going through what we’ve gone through the last four weeks and just not being able to produce the way we wanted to,” Flacco said of getting benched. “When you’re in the moment and you’re having conversations with people, it is what it is. You look people in the eye and tell them how it is, and that’s what it is.”
Dillon Gabriel Excited, Focused Ahead of 1st Start for Browns
GettyQuarterback Dillon Gabriel of the Cleveland Browns.
Gabriel was also candid about what it means to him to get his first chance to start an NFL game at the age of 24.
“I think from the beginning, it’s the moment you look forward to as a competitor,” he explained. “But it’s part of my job to be ready — to be that sense of hope for everyone to continue to be better, and come together and create momentum for each other. So, excited for that, but just also extremely focused [on] doing my job at a high level.”
Gabriel has played a little already this year, seeing action late in blowout losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions in Weeks 2 and 4, respectively. To this point in the season, Gabriel has completed 3-of-4 pass attempts for 19 yards and one score.
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