The mood around the Cleveland Browns’ locker room the day after the team traded Joe Flacco to the rival Cincinnati Bengals wasn’t so much anger or annoyance as it was surprise.
Among the players most affected by the transaction is wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. The team’s No. 1 option on the outside, Jeudy wasn’t having a great year with Flacco under center — tallying 13 catches for 182 yards through four games after earning Pro Bowl honors in 2024 on the strength of 90 receptions, 1,229 yards and four TDs.
But with Gabriel stepping in, Cleveland’s offense flipped to a more conservative approach. The rookie completed 19-of-33 attempts in his first NFL start, 14 of which went to tight ends or running backs including both touchdowns passes. Jeudy finished the afternoon with just two receptions for 15 yards in what ended as a four-point loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London.
While the offense should open up for Gabriel in the coming weeks, or potentially Shedeur Sanders at some point down the line, Jeudy is going to have to be patient as the rookies develop their confidence and begin to expand the types of throws they are willing/able to make.
Jeudy didn’t talk explicitly about how Flacco’s departure will impact his game and statistics when speaking with reporters on Wednesday, October 8. He did, however, offer a relatively blunt message of surprise that the Browns chose to move Flacco to a division rival seemingly out of the blue.
“It was surprising. I didn’t see that coming,” Jeudy said. “I wish Flacco the best, you know. Yeah.”
Dillon Gabriel Offers Candid Response to Joe Flacco’s Departure
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Gabriel also spoke Wednesday to Flacco’s exit, particularly in the context of what it means for him and the rest of the quarterback room.
“Dynamic is always evolving, especially when there is change,” Gabriel said. “I think it still goes back to us being able to have that experience for ourselves. I think you learn the best when you are thrown into the fire a little bit. I’d be a hypocrite to say otherwise. So I think the more experience you gain, game after game, week after week, you’ll get better. And, you know, [Bailey Zappe] has played a bunch of ball as well.”
Gabriel will be QB1 this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and probably for several games after. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that he would let practice play out and decide closer to the weekend if Sanders or Zappe will serve as Gabriel’s backup.
Shedeur Sanders on Track to Play for Browns This Season, Even if Bailey Zappe Wins QB2 Job This Week
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Regardless of Stefanski’s decision on QB2 for next Sunday in Pittsburgh, Sanders is probably going to get some action before his rookie season is over.
The Browns ownership has stated it wants to get a clear look at both rookie signal-callers ahead of the 2026 draft, during which Cleveland has two first-round picks and may decide to add another quarterback early in Round 1.
It is possible that by next offseason, the Browns might be in position to trade either Gabriel or Sanders, depending on how each plays across the remainder of the 2025 campaign.
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