CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 22: Deshaun Watson #4, Shedeur Sanders #2 and Dillon Gabriel #6 of the Cleveland Browns take the sphere previous to a preseason recreation in opposition to the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field on August 22, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) Getty
CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 22: Head coach Todd Monken of the Cleveland Browns seems to be on previous to a preseason recreation in opposition to the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field on August 22, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) Getty
Dillon Gabriel barely performed in opposition to the Buffalo Bills, however his transient look drew a few of Todd Monken’s harshest criticism following the Cleveland Browns‘ 31-7 loss.
Gabriel changed Deshaun Watson late within the fourth quarter and tried just one cross. Cleveland dedicated three false-start penalties throughout Gabriel’s first possession, leaving Monken livid with the operation.
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“At the end, you wanna talk about (expletive) football. I don’t care who goes out there,” Monken stated. “If I could have taken a knee, I probably would have. What the (expletive)? I don’t know what to tell you. We work on cadence and operation, and we will continue to do it. You can’t lead an offense if you can’t lead a cadence.”
Gabriel completed 0-for-1 and by no means had a practical alternative to ascertain a rhythm. And the false begins could not have been utterly on him. However, Monken made it clear that taking part in time and supporting personnel didn’t excuse the breakdowns.
“Browns hurting Browns,” he stated. “You’re not going to have a chance when you do that.”
Dillon Gabriel Fighting to Keep Browns Roster Spot
Buffalo Bills v Cleveland Browns
GettyDeshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel of the Cleveland Browns.
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The disastrous remaining possession was a tough look for Gabriel, who’s competing to easily stay on the roster in Cleveland.
Gabriel had drawn reward earlier in coaching camp regardless of remaining behind Watson and Shedeur Sanders within the beginning competitors. Monken stated the second-year quarterback had earned extra alternatives by maximizing his restricted work.
“Everybody’s competing, but you’re not guaranteed the same amount of reps,” Monken stated early in camp. “So it’s up to the player to take advantage and maximize those reps, which I feel like Dillon has done.”
Gabriel has failed to hold that momentum into the preseason. He accomplished 5 of 8 passes for 23 yards with one interception and two sacks in Cleveland’s 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. His one try in opposition to Buffalo fell incomplete.
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The Browns chosen Gabriel within the third spherical final season. He began six video games as a rookie, going 1-5 whereas finishing 59.5% of his passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
Gabriel finally lost the starting job after suffering a concussion. Sanders changed him and remained the starter for the ultimate seven video games.
Cleveland added extra competitors by choosing Taylen Green within the sixth spherical this yr. Green has obtained restricted work however is anticipated to see motion within the group’s preseason finale in opposition to the New England Patriots.
Browns Still Weighing Starting Quarterback Decision
Buffalo Bills v Cleveland Browns
GettyHead coach Todd Monken of the Cleveland Browns seems to be on previous to a preseason recreation in opposition to the Buffalo Bills.
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Monken entered Saturday anticipating to have sufficient info to settle the competitors between Watson and Sanders. His group’s efficiency complicated the evaluation.
“Not there yet,” Monken stated when requested about naming a starter. “That wasn’t our best foot forward. I have to watch the film before I say anything. It’s not the time for me to go anywhere with any personnel. I’m frustrated with the way we ended that in the second half. That’s not good enough.”
Sanders delivered the higher statistical outing, finishing 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards, one landing and one interception in a half of play. He led an 11-play, 65-yard scoring drive and linked with Luke Floriea for an 8-yard landing.
Watson accomplished 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and an interception in simply over 1 / 4. He was loudly booed after replacing Sanders within the third and failed to steer a scoring drive.
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“Well, at some point, I’m gonna have to decide, right?” Monken stated. “I’m saying it kinda jokingly, like at some point, we’ve got to get that guy the reps. So I’m not gonna paint myself into a corner. Optimally, you’d liked to have given a player all of the reps, and you know who the No. 1 is. We’ve done it as best we could as a staff, trying to work through this.”
Cleveland opens the common season on September 13 in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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