Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski: Dillon Gabriel is ‘ready to go’ as Browns starting QB

The Cleveland Browns drafted Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round for this exact scenario.

The Browns stand at just 1-3 for the first quarter of the season, and their former starting quarterback, Joe Flacco, just wasn't cutting it. He is just thrown for just over 200 yards a game and just two touchdowns. But it's the six interceptions that stick out like a sore thumb, and it has forced head coach Kevin Stefanski to make a change.

Gabriel was impressive in the preseason and in the limited opportunities he has had in the regular season, he hasn't been overwhelmed. According to Stefanski, his new quarterback is up for the challenge.

"Excited for Dillon,” Stefanski told Ashley Bastock of Cleveland.com. “He’s done everything really well since he’s been on campus here. We’re just going to have to support the young man — coaches, players, offense, defense, special teams.

“I think the big thing for me is we need to all be better. We need to coach better, block better, catch better, run better — all of the above. We need to be better. And I know the quarterback position gets quite a bit of scrutiny, I understand that. But this is about our entire team.”

Cleveland is used to this kind of adversity, as it has been a floundering franchise for some time. However, the Browns must hope this marks the beginning of a new era, where they can stick with one quarterback, let him develop within the system, and ultimately achieve success.

While this may be a long-term switch, Stefanski might be doing this in order to save his job as well as save the Browns' season. They are 42-49 since he took over in 2020, but he was the NFL Coach of the Year in that 2020 season and they made the playoffs in 2023. Other than that, Cleveland is still finding its way.

“Obviously, from the second he’s been here, he’s been working very hard,” Stefanski said of Gabriel. “Very intelligent young man. He’s done a nice job throughout practice. He’s been — this whole season, he’s been learning how to get yourself ready and understand the rhythm of an NFL week and what that looks like as a backup. And now, feel like he’s ready to go in as a starter.”

Oregon fans know how well Gabriel can adapt to changing situations, as he came to Eugene for just one season and fit right in, leading the Ducks to an undefeated regular season, a Big Ten championship, and a Rose Bowl appearance. But this could be the biggest challenge he's faced in football.

Cleveland and Stefanski, for that matter, can only hope Gabriel is up to the task.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Kevin Stefanski: Dillon Gabriel is ‘ready to go’ as Browns starting QB