Dillon Gabriel’s Performance Serves as a Silver Lining Amidst Loss

Amid the disappointment of a narrow 21–17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London, the Cleveland Browns found some optimism from the debut of rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The third-round selection from Oregon, who was suddenly thrust into action following Joe Flacco’s early struggles, delivered a respectable performance for a newcomer. Gabriel, taken 94th overall in this year’s draft, completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns, showing flashes of promise despite the challenging circumstances.

At 24 years old, Gabriel became the 41st quarterback to start for the Browns since the franchise’s return to the NFL in 1999, a mark that stands as the highest turnover rate at this position in the league over that period. Notably, he also made history as the first Browns quarterback to make his first career start in an international game.

The Browns’ offense stalled crucially in the fourth quarter, allowing Vikings backup quarterback Carson Wentz to orchestrate an 80-yard, game-winning drive. With just 25 seconds remaining, Wentz connected with wide receiver Jordan Addison on a precise 12-yard touchdown pass, sealing the victory for Minnesota.

While Cleveland managed a season-high 140 rushing yards and Gabriel protected the ball effectively—completing his debut without committing a turnover—the overall offensive struggles persisted. The Browns won the turnover battle 2–0, but the quarterback change alone was not sufficient to reverse a disturbing trend: the team has now scored 17 or fewer points in 10 consecutive games, a drought extending back to last season. While it wasn’t perfect for Gabriel and company, there were signs of promise for an offense led by the rookie QB.