Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been nominated for a weekly award despite a disappointing performance in a loss to the lowly New York Jets.
Gabriel is up for NFL Rookie of the Week after his performance against the Jets. He passed for a modest 167 yards and two touchdowns in the 27-20 loss. Gabriel added 54 rushing yards.
The Browns quarterback is up against Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (19-for-27, 282 yards, two touchdowns), Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (150 scrimmage yards, two rushing touchdowns), Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (six catches, 115 yards, one touchdown), Falcons defensive end Jalon Walker (six tackles, one for loss, a forced fumble and fumble recovery) and Seahawks defensive back Nick Emmanwori (nine tackles, four passes defended, a half sack).
Other Browns rookies who have been up for the award this season include running back Quinshon Judkins, linebacker Carson Schwesinger and tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
Browns QB Dillon Gabriel Ripped After Nomination
Fans were quick to react to the news of Gabriel being up for the honor after his subpar performance against the Jets.
“Dillon Gabriel ain’t even the Rookie of The Week on the Browns,” one fan said.
“Dillon Gabriel, Rookie of the Week? They’re trolling us. Right?” another added.
“This is a joke right? Did the NFL actually watch the game?” a fan said.
Gabriel showed some improvement in his fifth start but it was far from an inspiring performance. He’s still near the bottom of the league in yards per attempt (5.0) and has not provided the big downfield plays needed in the passing game.
“Can Dillon play better? Yes, he can,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday. “Can we play better around him? Yes we can. Can we coach him better? Yes we can. So I understand the question, but I just trust that our young players at every position and certainly at the quarterback position are guys that are going to work their tails off to get better every single day.”
Browns Not Benching Dillon Gabriel
There’s been consistent chatter about the Browns benching Gabriel in favor of his high-profile backup, Shedeur Sanders, a fifth-round pick. However, Stefanski shut down any speculation immediately following the loss to the Jets.
“We’re going to stick with Dillon,” Stefanski said. “This is a young player and you’re always trying to get one game better and those types of things. We have to play better as an offense.”
Gabriel understands the reality of the situation. The losses are stacking up, and he knows he hasn’t done enough to solidify his role as the Browns’ starting quarterback.
“When things aren’t going well, there’s always going to be change,” Gabriel said. “That’s part of it because if you keep doing the same thing and don’t change anything, that’s insanity. But just I feel like at times there’s things that went well and we sustained and executed, and then in certain moments we didn’t execute and that starts with me.
“But it’s always frustrating when it’s not going the way you want it to and you put in the work and time, but in crucial moments you’ve got to have it and execute. And we didn’t.”
Gabriel will get another shot on Sunday to prove himself in front of a home crowd against the Baltimore Ravens.
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